Second £300 Cost of Living Payment in April 2025 – Who Still Qualifies and How to Check

The second £300 Cost of Living Payment is part of the UK government’s broader support plan to ease financial pressure on low-income households. While it was rolled out between October and November 2023, thousands of households in April 2025 are still confused about their payment status or missed it entirely due to eligibility gaps or account issues.

The payment is designed to help cover increasing energy costs, grocery bills, and housing expenses amid ongoing inflationary pressures.

Second £300 Payment – Quick Overview

Why This Payment Still Matters in April 2025

Even though the original disbursement ended in November 2023, many households are only now realizing they didn’t receive the payment due to incorrect details, sanctions, or “nil awards” during the qualifying window. With cost pressures still high in April 2025, checking your benefit history could help you unlock overdue support.

Who Was Eligible – And Who Might Have Missed It

You may have qualified if you received one or more of the following during the qualifying period (18 Aug – 17 Sept 2023):

• Universal Credit

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Income Support

• Pension Credit

• Working Tax Credit

• Child Tax Credit

Note: If your benefit was reduced to £0 (nil award) during the window due to income changes or sanctions, you weren’t eligible for that payment.

How Was It Paid?

• Payments were made automatically, with no need for an application.

• Recipients saw the references “DWP COL” (for DWP benefits) or “HMRC COLS” (for tax credits) on their bank statements.

What to Do in April 2025 If You Didn’t Receive It

Even months later, you can take steps to follow up:

• Review your bank statements from late October to mid-November 2023.

• Use the missing payment tool at GOV.UK to file a report.

• Contact your local benefits office, especially if you switched banks or experienced a nil award.

• Check if you were sanctioned or temporarily suspended during the qualifying period.

Real-World Examples of Who Benefited

• Sarah, a single mum on Universal Credit: Received both the spring £301 and autumn £300 payments. Used them for school supplies and food expenses.

• David, a pensioner: Relied on the extra funds to pay for heating during colder months in 2023–24.

• Michael, a full-time worker on Tax Credits: Used the money to help cover transport and grocery expenses for his family of four.

Additional Help Still Available in April 2025

If you missed the payment or need further assistance, several other schemes are still active this April:

Household Support Fund
Available through local councils. Covers:

• Utility bills (gas, electricity, water)

• Rent or housing costs

• Essential items like food and appliances

Other Tools:

• Turn2Us Benefits Calculator

• EntitledTo Benefits Checker

These tools help verify if you’re eligible for additional grants or council-based emergency assistance.

What’s Next for 2025?

The government confirmed a third payment of £299 was scheduled for Spring 2024. While that payment has now been processed, there’s no official update yet for a new series of payments in 2025. However, economic experts suggest that future cost-of-living measures could be announced in the upcoming Budget, especially if inflation continues to affect daily living costs.

Stay Safe from Scams in 2025

Unfortunately, fraud attempts are still active. Here’s how to protect yourself:

• The government will never text, email, or call asking for your bank details.

• You don’t need to apply for cost of living payments.

• Report any suspicious contact to Action Fraud immediately.

Final Thoughts

As April 2025 rolls in, reviewing your benefit history and checking if you received the £300 support could still lead to important financial relief. With more people rechecking their eligibility or filing missed payment requests, staying informed is your best move.

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