Is There a Cost of Living Payment in 2026? The Short Answer

Quick summary: No. There is no government Cost of Living Payment in 2026. The last one, worth £299, was paid in February 2024, and the Department for Work and Pensions says it is not planning any more. If a text, email or social media post tells you to apply for one, it's almost certainly a scam. There is still help you can get, and this page lists it.

Applies in: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Figures checked September 2026.

What happened to Cost of Living Payments?

Between 2022 and 2024, the government paid several Cost of Living Payments to people on means-tested benefits. The final one was £299, paid between 6 and 22 February 2024 for most people.

Since then, GOV.UK has said plainly that the Department for Work and Pensions "is not planning to make any more Cost of Living Payments."

So if you've been searching for the next payment date, you haven't missed anything. There isn't one.

Watch out: fake payment messages

Because so many people still search for these payments, scammers use them as bait. GOV.UK warns that if you've had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, it might be a scam.

The government never asks you to apply for a benefit payment by text or through a link
Don't click links or give bank details in reply to a message like this
Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (free) and suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk
If you've lost money, contact your bank straight away, then report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (England and Wales) or to Police Scotland on 101

More advice is on the GOV.UK page on reporting scams.

Help you can get instead

The one-off payments have gone, but a lot of regular help is still there. Much of it goes unclaimed.

Help	Who it's for	Where to find out more
Council crisis help (Crisis and Resilience Fund)	People in England facing a financial emergency	How to apply for council help
Crisis grants in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland	People facing an emergency in those nations	Scottish Welfare Fund, Discretionary Assistance Fund (Wales), Discretionary Support (NI)
Cold Weather Payment	People on certain benefits, £25 per freezing week	Cold Weather Payment 2026/27
Warm Home Discount	£150 off electricity for eligible households	Warm Home Discount guide
Winter Fuel Payment	People born on or before 27 June 1960, £100 to £300	GOV.UK Winter Fuel Payment
Extra Universal Credit for third and later children	Families with three or more children	Two-child limit scrapped
Pension Credit	Pensioners on a low income	Pension Credit guide
Emergency fuel vouchers	People on prepayment meters	How to get a fuel voucher
Universal Credit advance	People waiting for their first payment	Universal Credit advance payments

Check you're getting everything you're owed

The quickest way to find money you're missing is a free, anonymous benefits calculator. It takes about ten minutes and doesn't affect any claim. See Am I missing out? Free benefits calculators.

If you'd rather talk it through, the Help through Hardship helpline on 0808 208 2138 can check what grants and benefits you could get. It's free, covers England and Wales, and is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. More about the helpline.

If you need food today

A food bank can help while you sort out the rest. Find your nearest food bank and read how to get a food bank voucher or referral.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Cost of Living Payment in 2026?

No. The Department for Work and Pensions says it is not planning to make any more Cost of Living Payments.

When was the last Cost of Living Payment?

The last one was £299, paid between 6 and 22 February 2024 for most people.

I've had a text about a Cost of Living Payment. Is it real?

Almost certainly not. The government doesn't ask people to apply for these payments by text or email. Don't click the link. Forward the text to 7726 and delete it.

What has replaced the Cost of Living Payment?

There isn't a direct replacement. In England, councils run the Crisis and Resilience Fund for people facing a financial emergency. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own crisis grants. Regular help such as the Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments continues.

Will there be a Cost of Living Payment in 2027?

The government has not announced one. If that changes, it will be announced on GOV.UK. Past Cost of Living Payments were paid automatically, with no application, so any message asking you to apply is a warning sign.

Sources