The UK Government is set to issue one of the most anticipated financial support measures of the coming year — the £410 Cost of Living Payment scheduled for November 2025.
With households continuing to face elevated food prices, higher energy bills, and ongoing financial strain, millions are eager to understand who qualifies, when the payment will be made, and how it will be delivered.
This comprehensive guide outlines everything confirmed so far, including eligibility conditions, qualifying benefits, expected payment timelines, and important updates for 2025.
Why the £410 Cost of Living Payment Is Important in 2025
Although inflation has slowed compared to recent peaks, essential living expenses remain well above pre-crisis levels. Food, rent, transportation and utility costs continue to place pressure on low-income families throughout the UK.
To help ease this burden, the Government is offering a tax-free, one-off £410 payment to households on specific means-tested benefits. The intention is to provide targeted relief as families navigate another challenging financial year.
This payment:
- Is not taxable
- Does not reduce existing benefit amounts
- Does not count as income
Who Qualifies for the £410 Cost of Living Payment?
Eligibility depends entirely on whether you receive one of the approved means-tested benefits during the qualifying assessment period. You are expected to qualify if you receive:
Universal Credit
Those paid Universal Credit for any day within the qualifying month will usually be eligible, even if deductions reduced their award.
Income Support
Claimants whose Income Support award covers the assessment period are included.
Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Only income-based JSA counts. Contribution-based or new-style JSA does not qualify.
Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Eligibility applies only to income-related ESA. New-style ESA alone will not qualify you.
Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings Credit)
Recipients of Pension Credit remain a priority group and are fully eligible.
Tax Credits (Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit)
Tax credit recipients will receive their payment at a slightly later date, as HMRC issues payments separately to avoid duplicates. If you receive tax credits as well as a DWP benefit, the DWP will usually pay you first.
Do PIP, DLA or Attendance Allowance Count?
Disability-related benefits such as:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
Do not qualify you for the £410 payment on their own.
However, if you also receive a means-tested benefit (e.g., Universal Credit or Pension Credit), you can still qualify.
The Official Eligibility Assessment Period
To receive the £410 payment, you must have been entitled to a qualifying benefit for at least one day between:
1 October 2025 and 31 October 2025
(Exact dates may be reconfirmed later.)
If your benefit is later backdated to include this period, the payment should still be issued automatically.
How Much Will Be Paid?
Eligible households will receive:
- A single £410 lump sum
- Tax-free and non-repayable
- Not paid monthly
- One payment per household, unless each partner qualifies individually through separate benefits
Expected Payment Dates for November 2025
Although the final payment schedule has not been formally published, the expected timeframe is:
DWP Claimants
Mid to Late November 2025
(Universal Credit, ESA, JSA, Income Support, Pension Credit)
Tax Credit Claimants (HMRC)
Late November to Early December 2025
Payments will appear in your bank account under a reference such as:
- DWP COL
- HMRC COLS
How the Payment Will Be Delivered
The £410 Cost of Living Payment will be:
- Sent directly to your bank account
- Issued automatically — no application required
- Paid separately from your usual benefit payment
Important:
The DWP will never request bank details by text, email, WhatsApp, or phone regarding this payment. Any such message is a scam.
Do You Need to Apply?
No. The payment is entirely automatic as long as you were entitled to a qualifying benefit in the assessment period.
You may need to take action only if
1. You Believe You Should Have Qualified but Didn’t
Backdated Universal Credit or Pension Credit awards may still make you eligible. Once the adjustment is processed, the payment will be issued.
2. You Recently Changed Bank Accounts
If you switched banks but didn’t update your benefit information, the payment may bounce.
Once your details are corrected, DWP will reissue the payment.
What to Do If the £410 Payment Doesn’t Arrive
If you were eligible but still haven’t received the payment by the end of December 2025, you can:
- Contact the relevant DWP helpline
- Message through your Universal Credit journal
- Contact HMRC if you only receive tax credits
You should wait until the full payment window closes before contacting support.
Eligibility for Those Who Recently Lost Their Jobs
If you began receiving Universal Credit after losing your job, and your entitlement includes the qualifying month, you may still receive the payment — even if your first payment arrives later due to backdating.
How the Government Determined the £410 Amount
The payment is shaped by several economic factors, including:
- Current inflation trends
- The cost of essential goods and services
- Expected energy price movements
- Benefit uprating plans for April 2026
- Broader public finance considerations
The £410 support package is designed as an additional relief measure, separate from annual benefit increases.
Will There Be Another Payment?
As of now:
- Only one Cost of Living Payment — the £410 payment — is confirmed for late 2025.
- Any future support for 2026 will be outlined in upcoming Budget announcements.
How to Prepare if You Expect to Be Eligible
Make sure to:
- Keep your bank details updated with DWP or HMRC
- Ensure your Universal Credit journal is current
- Respond to any Pension Credit enquiries
- Watch for updated Government guidance in autumn 2025
Being proactive can prevent payment delays.
The £410 Cost of Living Payment is set to offer vital financial support to millions of households across the UK during a time of persistent economic pressure. Designed to help cover essentials such as energy costs, groceries, school expenses and winter travel, the payment arrives at a crucial moment — just before the coldest months of the year.
If you meet the eligibility criteria and receive a qualifying benefit, the payment will be issued automatically, with no application required. Ensuring your benefit information is accurate and up to date will help guarantee that your support arrives without delays.
FAQs
Will PIP alone qualify me for the £410 payment?
No. PIP on its own does not make you eligible, but you can qualify if you also receive a means-tested benefit.
Can I receive the payment if my benefit is backdated?
Yes. If your benefit is backdated to include the qualifying month, the payment will still be issued automatically.
Will the £410 payment affect my other benefits?
No. The payment is tax-free, does not count as income, and will not reduce any existing benefit awards.