Thousands of households in Wales to receive £300 cost of living payment from today

Hundreds of thousands of households across Wales will receive a £300 Cost of Living payment from the Government from today.

This is the second of up to three payments for those eligible on means-tested benefits, totalling up to £900 through 2023/24.

Those entitled do not need to apply for the payment or do anything to receive it.

Payments made during this window will be staggered over the next couple of weeks meaning not everyone entitled to receive a payment will receive it today.

An estimated 422,000 households across Wales are eligible for the payment.

Pensioner households will also receive £300 which will be paid as a top up to those eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment in November and December.

A further cost of living payment will be made to eligible households by Spring – meaning support for some will top £1,350.

Welsh Secretary, David TC Davies, said: “We know that the cost of living is continuing to have an impact on people which is why the UK Government is supporting over 420,000 low income households in Wales with this payment of £300, as part of a broader package of support.

“At the same time, we are working hard to reduce inflation, which will help everyone in Wales and across the UK with their finances.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send payments automatically and directly to recipients’ accounts, with a reference of their National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’.

Tax credits-only customers will receive the payment from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between 10 and 19 November 2023 with the reference ‘HMRC COLS’

To be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment from DWP, you need to have been entitled to a payment for a qualifying benefit between 18 August 2023 and 17 September 2023, or payment for an assessment period, ending between these dates.

The eligible benefits are: 

• Universal Credit;
• Pension Credit;
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance;
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
• Income Support;
• Working Tax Credit;
• Child Tax Credit.

While payments are made automatically, people must be receiving one of the eligible qualifying benefits during the specified period to qualify.

Those who wish to check their entitlement to benefits should use a benefits calculator on Gov.uk to get a better idea of what they could receive.