For people on Pension Credit and other low income benefits
The second of three cost of living payments for 2023 will be paid between 31st October and 19th November 2023. This payment is £300 and you do not need to apply -you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits if you qualify. The payment will be referenced with your National Insurance Number followed by DWP COL or HMRC COLS.
You should get this payment if you are entitled to one of the following benefits:
- Pension credit
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Universal credit (providing you didn’t have a ‘nil’ award)
If you get child tax credit or working tax credit but don’t also get one of the above benefits, you should still get the payment but it will arrive in your account between 10th and 19th November
You need to have been entitled to the qualifying benefit for at least one day during the qualifying period, which is between 18 August 2023 and 17 September 2023
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment
If you are over state pension age and on a low income but do not already get pension credit it is worth checking if you are entitled to claim as soon as possible – pension credit can be backdated for 3 months so if you make a successful claim now you would then also be entitled to this cost of living payment. You can check this online https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator or call the pension credit helpline 0800 99 1234