The summer of 2025 is seeing a renewed focus on supporting low-income households and vulnerable citizens across the UK. In the face of ongoing financial strain brought on by inflation, high energy prices, and food costs, the UK government is expected to roll out another phase of its cost of living support programme.
One of the most talked-about initiatives this July is the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) £450 payment designed to ease the financial pressure on millions.
But here’s an important point: as of now, this payment has not been officially confirmed by the DWP or HMRC. This guide will walk you through what’s been reported so far, past support trends, and key things to know.
What is the DWP £450 Payment?
The DWP £450 payment is widely speculated to be a one-off cost of living support initiative, designed to provide additional help during the ongoing cost of living crisis. It is expected to target individuals and families receiving means-tested benefits or facing financial vulnerabilities.
The aim is to help cover essential expenses like food, energy, housing, and other daily needs. While inflation has eased slightly compared to previous years, many households continue to struggle with high prices.
However, as of July 2025, no official government announcement has confirmed the £450 payment. It remains under media speculation, and people should be cautious about scams or unofficial messages asking them to apply or provide personal details.
Background and Need
Between 2022 and 2024, the UK government issued multiple cost-of-living payments, totalling hundreds of pounds per household.
Key past payments included:
- £650 (2022) split into two instalments
- £900 (2023) split over three payments
- £299 (early 2024) as the final round of a three-part support package
These were paid automatically, with no need for applications, to those on qualifying benefits.
With ongoing utility price fluctuations and sluggish wage growth, many households hope for continued support in 2025, but as of now, the £450 figure is not part of an officially confirmed scheme.
Who Qualified for Previous Cost of Living Payments?
To understand potential future payments, it’s useful to look at past eligibility.
Qualifying benefits in 2022–2024 included:
- Universal Credit (except £0 awards)
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
Important:
- You were not eligible if you only received contribution-based JSA or ESA, or New Style ESA/JSA.
- Disability benefits (like PIP or DLA) only qualified if paired with a means-tested benefit.
- Joint claims only received one payment per household.
When Will the DWP £450 Payment Be Made?
Past payments were made automatically using the same account where benefits were normally paid. The reference included DWP COLP or HMRC COLP, depending on which agency issued the payment.
Typical timeline for previous years:
| Amount | Eligibility Period | Payment Window |
|---|---|---|
| £299 | 13 Nov – 12 Dec 2023 | 6–22 Feb 2024 |
| £300 | 18 Aug – 17 Sep 2023 | 31 Oct–19 Nov 2023 |
| £301 | 26 Jan – 25 Feb 2023 | 25 Apr–17 May 2023 |
| £324 | 26 Aug–25 Sep 2022 | 8–23 Nov 2022 |
| £326 | 26 Apr–25 May 2022 | 14–31 Jul 2022 |
If you were eligible at a later date or changed your bank account, the payments were still processed automatically, and no application was ever required.
Is There an Official July 2025 £450 Payment?
No, as of July 2025, the UK government has not officially confirmed a £450 cost of living payment. There have been media reports and political discussions, but no formal announcement or details on:
- Assessment windows
- Payment dates
- Qualifying benefits
This means:
- Do not trust messages or emails asking you to apply or give details for a £450 payment — these may be scams.
- Keep monitoring official DWP and HMRC channels for updates.
If Confirmed, Who Might Be Eligible?
If the £450 payment is eventually approved, it’s expected to mirror past eligibility criteria, meaning:
- Low-income and means-tested benefits only
- No need to apply, automatic payment if eligible
- Paid directly into the account used for benefits
Likely excluded groups (if past rules apply):
- People on contribution-based JSA/ESA only
- Those with £0 Universal Credit awards due to earnings or savings
- Carers and disabled individuals not on a means-tested benefit
Past Disability and Pensioner Payments
Separate payments were previously issued, such as:
- Disability Cost of Living Payments (£150 each in 2022 and 2023)
- Pensioner Cost of Living Payments (£150 or £300, paid alongside Winter Fuel Payments)
These groups should watch for separate announcements later in 2025, as no disability- or pensioner-specific cost of living payment has been confirmed for July.
What to Do If You Don’t Receive a Payment
If you think you were eligible for past payments and didn’t receive them, or if a new payment is announced:
- Check your benefit award letters or online accounts.
- Wait until the end of the specified payment window.
- Contact DWP or HMRC (depending on your benefit) if no payment has arrived.
- Beware of scams, the government will never ask you to apply or provide personal details via email or text for these payments.
Conclusion
The potential July 2025 £450 DWP payment has sparked hope among millions of UK households, but as of now, it remains unconfirmed.
Looking at past cost of living support, it’s clear the government has a track record of issuing one-off payments to low-income and vulnerable groups. If confirmed, the £450 payment would follow similar eligibility rules and be paid automatically, without applications.
For now, stay informed by following official government channels, avoid scam messages, and use benefit calculators or speak to local authorities for other available help, such as the Household Support Fund or Discretionary Assistance Funds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to apply for the payment?
No, if it’s confirmed, it will likely be paid automatically, just like previous cost-of-living payments.
What if I receive a scam message about the £450 payment?
Ignore and report it. The government will never ask you to apply or share personal details via email, text, or phone.
Will disabled people get a separate payment?
There’s no confirmed disability payment for July 2025, but announcements may come later in the year.
Will the payment affect my other benefits or taxes?
No, past cost of living payments were non-taxable and did not affect benefit entitlements.
Where can I check for updates?
Visit the official gov.uk website or check your Universal Credit, Tax Credit, or Pension Credit online accounts.
