The government’s Cost of Living Payments scheme ended in February 2024 with the final £299 payment. But that doesn’t mean support has stopped. There are still several types of help available if you’re struggling with day-to-day costs.
While the DWP has confirmed there won’t be any more Cost of Living Payments, the Household Support Fund has been extended until March 2026. This gives councils extra money to help households in need.
Cost of Living Payments were brought in as an emergency measure during a very tough time where inflation and post-pandemic pressures caused the cost of living to skyrocket.
The government introduced a comprehensive support package worth over £15 billion to help the most vulnerable households through this crisis period.
If you were eligible, you may have received top-ups to existing benefits, or possibly accessed new support.
Low income households:
Disability Support:
Pensioner Support:
Total Possible Support:
Around 8 million households got Cost of Living Payments. These went to people on certain means-tested benefits, such as:
The last Cost of Living Payment was £299. This was paid between 6-22 February 2024. It was the final payment, and it meant families received £900 in total that year to help with their bills.
No – the government has confirmed there are no further Cost of Living Payments planned for 2025. The final payment of £299 was made between 6–22 February 2024.
⚠️ Be aware of scams: If you see texts, emails, or social media posts claiming you can apply for a new Cost of Living Payment in 2025, it’s likely to be a scam. The DWP never asks for bank details by text, email, or phone call.
If you’re struggling with everyday costs, support is still available in 2025 through other schemes.
Here are the main schemes still running in 2025, and how to get them:
|
Support Scheme |
Amount |
Who's Eligible |
How to Access |
|
Household Support Fund |
£100-£200 (varies by council) |
Vulnerable households on low income |
Apply through local council |
|
Winter Fuel Payment |
£200-£300 |
Pensioners born before 22 Sept 1959 + receiving Pension Credit |
Automatic for eligible pensioners |
|
Warm Home Discount |
£150 electricity discount |
Pension Credit recipients + low-income households |
Mostly automatic |
|
Cold Weather Payments |
£25 per qualifying week |
Benefit recipients when temp below 0°C for 7 days |
Automatic |
|
Pension Credit |
Average £3,900 annually |
Pensioners on low income (gateway to other support) |
Must apply - can backdate 3 months |
|
Council Tax Support |
25%-100% reduction |
Low-income households |
Apply through local council |
|
Universal Credit |
Varies significantly |
Low-income working families, unemployed, disabled people |
Apply online |
|
Local Welfare Assistance |
Emergency grants |
People facing a financial crisis, such as sudden loss of income, benefit delays, or unexpected expenses. |
Apply through local council |
The Household Support Fund has been extended until March 2026 with £742 million given to councils in England to support those most in need.
Each council sets up its own scheme, which means they decide:
👉 To apply: Contact your local council directly or search online for “Household Support Fund [your council name]”.
This helps pensioners with heating costs, though the rules were tightened in 2024.
Who qualifies now:
How much you get:
When it’s paid: Automatically, between November and December each year.
This gives a £150 discount on your electricity bill during winter (October to March).
Automatic eligibility:
Other possible eligibility (you may need to apply):
👉 From 2025–26, the “high energy cost” rule is likely being removed — meaning more households should qualify.
You’ll get £25 automatically if your local area has 7 days in a row where the temperature is 0°C or below.
Who qualifies:
When it’s paid: 1 November to 31 March each year.
Universal Credit gives monthly help if you’re on a low income, whether you’re working or not.
It can include extra amounts for:
Council Tax Support (sometimes called Council Tax Reduction) can cut your bill based on things like:
Each council runs its own scheme, so the criteria vary.
Many councils also provide emergency help if you’re struggling. This might include:
Most big energy companies have schemes to help people in difficulty. Examples include:
The emergency Cost of Living Payments may have ended, but there’s still plenty of help out there. In fact, around £19 billion in benefits go unclaimed every year – often because people don’t realise what they could get.
Support can come from lots of places, including:
👉 Don’t rule yourself out. Even if you’re not sure you’ll qualify, it’s worth checking. Many schemes are more flexible than people think – and when you add them together, they can make a big difference to your household budget.
Disclaimer: We make every effort to ensure content is correct when published. Information on this website doesn't constitute financial advice, and we aren't responsible for the content of any external sites.
Fiona is a personal finance writer with over 7 years’ experience writing for a broad range of industries before joining Ocean in 2021. She uses her wealth of experience to turn the overwhelming aspects of finance into articles that are easy to understand.
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