Extra £90 Cost of Living Support for UK Families – Payment Dates and Eligibility Explained

The UK government is once again stepping in to provide much-needed financial assistance to struggling families. With inflation still affecting household budgets and essentials getting costlier, an extra £90 Cost of Living Support payment will be issued to help families cope with ongoing financial pressures.

This latest payment aims to support those who need it most — especially low-income households, parents, and individuals receiving government benefits. Here’s a detailed guide explaining who qualifies, how and when payments will be made, and what this £90 support covers.

Why the Extra £90 Payment Is Being Introduced

The cost of living crisis has not disappeared in 2025. While inflation rates have eased slightly, many families continue to face high grocery costs, increasing rents, and elevated energy bills.

To ease this strain, the government has introduced several waves of cost of living support over the past two years. This new £90 payment is a continuation of that effort — designed to bridge the gap for struggling families who rely on benefits and face increasing financial challenges.

The government hopes this payment will provide short-term relief, helping households manage essential expenses like food, heating, and transport as the colder months approach.

Who Qualifies for the £90 Cost of Living Support?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has outlined clear eligibility criteria for the £90 payment. It is not universal, meaning not every household will receive it — it is targeted toward those most in need.

Eligible Families Include Those Receiving:

• Universal Credit (for low-income earners)
• Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Housing Benefit

Households with Children

Families with children under 18 or dependents who receive any of the above benefits will automatically qualify for the extra £90 payment.

The DWP has emphasized that the payment will go directly to households already receiving benefits, ensuring that those most affected by the cost of living crisis get help without needing to apply.

How to Apply for the £90 Payment

The good news is — you don’t need to apply for this payment.
Eligible families will receive it automatically through the same method they receive their regular benefits or tax credits.

However, it’s important to ensure that:

• Your bank details on your benefit account are correct.
• You are actively claiming qualifying benefits during the eligibility period (most likely between August and September 2025).

If you recently applied for a benefit and are approved before the payment date, you will still receive the £90 support.

Payment Dates: When You’ll Receive the £90 Support

The extra £90 Cost of Living payment will be distributed between October and November 2025. The DWP and HMRC have slightly different timelines depending on the benefit type, but the overall schedule is as follows:

Expected Payment Timeline

• Mid-October 2025: Payments begin for Universal Credit and Pension Credit claimants.
• Late October 2025: Payments roll out to those receiving Income Support, ESA, or JSA.
• Early November 2025: Families on Tax Credits and Housing Benefit receive their £90 payments.

Recipients will receive a notification message or letter confirming the payment has been sent.
If you do not receive it by late November, you should contact DWP or HMRC to check your eligibility.

How You’ll Receive the £90

There are two main methods for distributing this support:

1. Direct Bank Payment

Most eligible families will have the £90 automatically deposited into their bank account. The payment will usually appear with a reference such as “DWP COL Support” or “HMRC Cost of Living.”

2. Local Council Vouchers

For some residents — particularly those who do not receive benefits directly from DWP — local councils may issue the £90 as a voucher.
These vouchers can be used for essential expenses, such as:

• Supermarket purchases
• Energy bill credits
• Prepaid fuel cards or utility top-ups

Local councils will notify households if this method applies to them.

What Can the £90 Be Spent On?

The government does not restrict how the £90 support is spent — but it is intended to help families cover essential living costs. Here are the most common ways families are expected to use it:

• Groceries: With food prices still high, the extra £90 can help families stock up on essentials.
• Energy Bills: October marks the start of higher heating costs; this payment can help offset those expenses.
• School Costs: Parents can use it to cover uniforms, lunches, or supplies for their children.
• Household Essentials: Cleaning supplies, toiletries, and other necessary items can be bought without extra financial strain.

The goal is to provide flexibility, allowing each family to spend it where it helps the most.

Tax-Free and Non-Repayable

Just like other cost of living payments, the £90 support is completely tax-free.
It also won’t affect your benefit entitlements — meaning it doesn’t count as income, and it won’t reduce your Universal Credit or tax credit payments.

Most importantly, this payment is non-repayable. It’s a grant, not a loan — you do not have to pay it back.

How the £90 Support Helps Families

While £90 might not seem like a large amount, it can make a significant difference for households living on a tight budget. For many, this payment could cover a week’s worth of groceries or help with a month’s energy costs.

The DWP estimates that this support will reach millions of households, offering targeted help during a crucial time when living costs tend to rise.

This £90 boost also complements other ongoing schemes, including:

• The Warm Home Discount for energy bills
• Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners
• Household Support Fund extensions through local councils

Together, these measures help form a financial safety net for vulnerable residents.

Regional Variations Across the UK

The £90 Cost of Living Support applies across the UK, but distribution methods vary by region:

England

Administered primarily by local councils through the Household Support Fund, which provides direct payments or vouchers.

Scotland

Families in Scotland may receive the same level of support through the Scottish Welfare Fund or similar local aid schemes.

Wales

The Discretionary Assistance Fund will manage equivalent support for Welsh residents, providing similar payments or vouchers.

Northern Ireland

Payments will be handled by the Department for Communities, with automatic payments made to qualifying households.

These differences exist because welfare systems are partly devolved, allowing each nation to tailor support based on local needs.

How to Check Your Eligibility

If you’re unsure whether you qualify for the £90 payment, you can easily check through official channels:

• Log in to your Universal Credit or HMRC account.
• Contact your local council’s welfare team — they can confirm eligibility for local schemes.
• Visit the GOV.UK website and search “Cost of Living Support 2025” for official updates.

You’ll need your National Insurance number and benefit details when checking eligibility.

What If You Don’t Receive the Payment?

If the payment period has ended and you haven’t received the £90 but believe you qualify, follow these steps:

• Check your bank account for any pending transactions.
• Wait for the full payment window to close (end of November 2025).
• Contact DWP or HMRC to raise a query.
• If managed locally, reach out to your local council for assistance or to request a review.

Be cautious of scams — official agencies will never ask for personal details or banking information by text, call, or email.

Official Scam Warning

The DWP has issued strong warnings about scammers pretending to offer “faster payments” or “bonus cost of living support.” Always remember:

• The government will never ask for your card or bank details.
• All legitimate payments are automatic.
• Report suspicious messages to Action Fraud immediately.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

The cost of living crisis has forced many families to make difficult choices between heating, food, and rent. While the £90 payment may not completely solve financial hardship, it plays a vital role in easing immediate pressure and helping households navigate the final months of 2025.

Combined with other ongoing benefit adjustments and council grants, it signals that the government continues to focus on targeted relief for those most in need.

Final Thoughts

The extra £90 Cost of Living Support is a small but meaningful step toward easing financial stress for millions of UK families. With payments rolling out from October 2025, households on low incomes can expect timely relief to help manage essential expenses.

Remember, no application is needed — if you receive qualifying benefits, the payment will come automatically. To stay informed, always check official updates from GOV.UK, your local council, or DWP communications.

Even though the cost of living challenge continues, initiatives like this show that support is still reaching those who need it most — ensuring that every family has a bit of breathing space heading into winter 2025.

FAQs:-