Dates announced for next £300 cost-of-living payment

The government has announced the dates millions of households across the UK can expect to receive the second of three cost-of-living payments worth a total of £900.

If you’re eligible, the second £300 instalment should land in your bank account between 31 October and 19 November.

Who qualifies for cost-of-living payments?

To be eligible, you must be claiming at least one of the following benefits:

• pension credit
• universal credit
• working tax credit
• child tax credit
• income support
• income-related employment and support allowance
• income-based jobseekers’ allowance

If you’re expecting the money but it doesn’t arrive, you can report missed payments online.

Beware of scams

The payments will be made automatically, meaning you don’t need to apply.

Beware of emails or texts about cost-of-living payments that claim to be from the Department for Work and Pensions and ask you for personal details. These will almost certainly be scams.

The payment reference on your bank statement will be your national insurance number followed by DWP COL or HMRC COLS.

Extra support for pensioners

If you live in a household with an eligible pensioner, you’ll also get an extra £300 on top of the winter fuel payment later this year.