With the cost of living and interest rates on the rise, many households in the UK are feeling the financial squeeze. Thankfully, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has stepped in with its Cost of Living payments, providing vital financial relief. For 2025, these payments will continue to support low-income families, disabled individuals, and others in need. Here’s everything you need to know about eligibility, new benefit increases, and how to claim.
Table of Contents
Payments
The DWP’s 2025 Cost of Living payment initiative is designed to ease financial burdens for vulnerable households. The Household Support Fund has been extended, offering essential financial aid to thousands of families across the UK.
These payments are aimed at helping families manage inflation, soaring energy prices, and other day-to-day expenses. Wondering if you qualify or how much you could receive? Let’s dive in.
Eligibility
To qualify for the 2025 Cost of Living payment, you need to be receiving at least one of the following benefits during the DWP’s qualifying period:
- Universal Credit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income-Based)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
If you meet the criteria, you don’t need to apply—payments will be sent directly to your account.
PIP
Two critical benefits for individuals with disabilities or long-term illnesses are the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Here’s a breakdown:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Who Qualifies: Adults aged 16 and above (but under State Pension age) with a long-term illness, disability, or mental health condition.
- Purpose: Covers daily living and mobility needs.
- Process: Applicants must undergo an assessment to determine their level of support.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Who Qualifies: Generally available for children under 16 or individuals who received DLA before the transition to PIP.
- Purpose: Provides financial support for care and mobility needs.
Benefit Increases
To address the rising cost of living, the DWP announced a 1.7% increase in benefit rates starting in April 2025. Here’s what that means for those on PIP and DLA:
| Benefit | Highest Weekly Rate | Annual Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Independence Payment (PIP) | £749 (combined) | £151 |
| Disability Living Allowance (DLA) | £749 (combined) | £151 |
This increase aims to provide some financial relief to individuals and families dealing with inflation and other economic pressures.
How to Claim
If you’re eligible for PIP or DLA, here’s how you can start your application:
- For PIP:
Visit the official government website or call the DWP’s PIP claim line. After an initial screening, you may need to attend an in-person assessment to determine your level of support. - For DLA (Children):
Parents or guardians can request application forms by mail or download them online. Be sure to provide detailed medical information to help assessors evaluate the child’s needs.
Stay updated on the latest information by regularly checking the DWP website.
Tips to Maximize
Here are a few ways to make the most of DWP’s programs:
- Stay Informed: Regularly check DWP announcements for updates on eligibility and payments.
- Double-Check Eligibility: If you’re receiving multiple benefits, ensure you’re claiming all applicable payments.
- Ask for Help: Speak with a benefits advisor or your local council if you’re unsure about the application process.
The DWP’s 2025 Cost of Living payments and benefit increases aim to provide a lifeline to those who need it most. If you’re eligible, take full advantage of these programs—they’re here to help you manage the challenges of rising living costs.
FAQs
Who qualifies for DWP Cost of Living payments?
Anyone receiving eligible benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
When will PIP rates increase?
From April 7, 2025, benefit rates will rise by 1.7%.
What is the Household Support Fund?
A DWP initiative offering financial aid to low-income households.
How can I apply for PIP?
Apply online or via the DWP PIP claim line and undergo an assessment.
What is the new highest weekly DLA rate?
The highest rate for 2025 is £749 per week.
Iam on pip will I get a increase in my living allowance please
Hello Colin miller,
Have you fulfill the eligibility criteria?
Yee colin in 7th april your pip will increase by 2.9%
Hi I am James
I have been on PIP for 2 and half years 3 years in April will I get an increase on my PIP in April when it goes up at the moment I don’t get any benefits from universal credit because of my Private Pension which I find it very hard to live on which I only get £478.30 a month to live on and be time I have paid my rent and direct Debits I have got £17.68 a month to live on which is about £5.50 a week for food and I am waiting for my universal credit health Assessment which I hope that I get everything back Dated thanks James
I am also receiving PIP and pension credit as I receive state pension. I am wondering if I will receive any increase. How do I apply. As far as I can see, I fulfill eligibility.
I am also on pip will we get any cost of living payments
RajhaBenhailma
24 b thrale road London sw16 1pa
07975752763
[email protected]
04/12/198/
Don’t post the NI number. Take this down for fraud prevention
You need to take this down
You might want to delete your comment everyone can see your address, phone number , date of birth and your national insurance number
DWP pip and DWP ESA
No they are not
I get pip i thought u get 749 a month not a week ??
When will I receive the cost of living payment I’m on pip and universal credit and it’s states that there’s no need to apply as it will be sent out automatically I’m from Southampton Uk
Thanks Chris
IF U ARE ON P,I,P,IT IS PAID MONTHLY,HAS I GET MY P,I,P,ONCE A MONTH,
That’s the max
its @ present £737.39 and yea I get it too, its every 4 weeks it is paid…. 1.7% increase in April will probably be the increase that takes it to £749.00 what they are talking about.
Rant –
It frustrated me so much, all this incorrect info out there, on so many levels and on so many websites…
You know what if most the general public read this info and think you get £749 as week just for PIP before you even claim benefits, you can forgive them for disliking people who unfortunately need to claim benefits as there are no other avenues…
You can understand why they also want for benefits to be reduced…. – Miss-information !!!
I tell you, if you want me to be brutally honest with you –
I’ve through no fault of my own, have had, to claimed benefits for over 25 years. I suffered an accident at work that rendered me disabled. After 2 failed spinal operations, everything else you could through at it, I lost not only my job but livelihood…
There are many like me, as not all benefit claimant’s are claiming as that’s all they know. I.e. brought up into the claiming culture as it is spoken about…(Yea there will be a percentage, but that’s like everything)
There are many who want us to be see as the “scum of the earth” so when the .gov makes cuts etc it seem fair to take it off those at the bottom, the most vulnerable in society, they are being paid way too much anyway, are they not, NO, not the case – Miss-information.
+ Don’t for one minute think “that wont be me” –
There are many who are the average person you think if will never be you, well I say to that, make sure you have enough life or other insurance covers etc… cos you just don’t know, what is around the corner…
Whilst most being portrayed as a benefits scrounger, here is my pennies worth –
I worked between 60-80hrs a week in the motor trade, for one of the top car companies out there, one I wont name, but one you would be forgiven for thinking you would have been looked after by, not the case…
Once my job had finished @ usually somewhere from 8am in a morning to 8 or 9pm on a night, I would cover breakdowns through the night, to then have to come in again same time next day exactly same sort of time to do it all again.
I have forgiven my back now, for finally giving up the ghost..
So yea I get very frustrated when I had to claim benefits as the company I worked for cleansed the area for a claim and then let me go…
I worked 12 years from leaving school, which if you worked a 40hr a week job, my 60-80hrs covers about up to 24years, so to say…I am now in my 50s, this has over the years, caused so much stress along with the constant pain i suffer, to then be pulled from pillar to post to have to claim, to reclaim each and every time they decide its not working..
Back to the Question in hand –
You know what if you were paid £749 a week, @ £3000K a month approx. that would be also tax free. So for a normal person earning you would have to earn about £36K a year to receive this…
+ they are trying to say that’s PIP alone, wow….
Again I can understand when as a claimant I am disliked, it is just so very very unfair…
*** If you are going to offer information out there, get it right !!!
PLEASE FOR … GET IT RIGHT !!!
Send them an email direct, as i just did
[email protected]
They’ve definitely made a mistake putting weekly ….if only!!
You’re right, it’s monthly (well every 4 weeks) that the maximum payment will be the £749 (as compared to the £2996 they’re quoting …big difference). This is going to confuse a lot of people, especially those with learning difficulties or similar!
You are right. ! It is a month . Thats a big mistake for a paper to make.
That is correct Zoe, the £749 is every four weeks, not a week.
Talk about stirring the pot, in getting us hated even more!
Good evening I am on Pip how will this work
I’m also on pip !
I use too get plp for looking after my mum who is 88 she got dementia and disability she got curved of the spine only one kidney my mum is on medication
I am sorry but I don’t think £151 a year is nearly enough, I live in the countryside.I live alone & I am paying £191 a month in heating alone.Along with my food shop which is £70 a week.I have to pay a gardener as I will get fined if my garden gets overgrown.I have to pay a cleaner as I am not able to do that for myself either.Then taxi fares when I do my shopping & hospital & visits to my GP.Rent & water rates etc etc.Albeit my rent is subsided but I still pay quite a bit. Then there is the renwal of any white goods & I need a new bed.I can’t afford to save.And every month I run out of money.Sorry but that is not enough.
So the people who do work for themselves and cannot pull a salary or not enough get…. nothing?
I claim Pip ‘s will I get a cost of living payment
Is it only the highest rate of pip that’s increasing in April or standard as well
Every one needs to stop wanting free money then the world will be OK
How is it “free money” for those that qualify?
My partner (husband as of Saturday)who is 51, has worked his entire life, paying a fortune in tax and NI and up until January 2024 had never claimed a penny in his life but worked hard protecting the public as a prison officer in a maximum security prison.
Now he has terminal cancer. It wasn’t diagnosed as terminal at the outset but when he started chemo he had to go off sick. The nature of his illness qualified him for maximum PIP to help us out with additional costs (such as petrol for all the hospital & consultant appointments, parking costs, costs of buying extra towels and bedding that need changing regularly whilst having chemo, new clothes as none of those he had fit him given he’s lost 30,kg in weight and to keep us afloat when his salary went to half and will go to nil after this month – without which we’d have had to sell our house and move into council housing being more of a drain on public funding). Since going onto half pay he also qualifies for new style ESA.
As he recovered from his 12 hour operation having his stomach and part of his oesophagus removed plus multiple infections his wound got, he hoped to return to work (had his recovery continued he’d be going back tomorrow). But he developed additional symptoms, finding out in November that the cancer had spread everywhere and he now has months (maybe up to 13 months with treatment) to live.
So he won’t ever be returning to work now, through no fault of his own (none of the risk factors for oesophagus cancer applied to him, he’s never smoked, only has a couple of drinks when out for meals, on holiday etc, exercised daily, had a decent diet and wasn’t overweight).
I find your comment rude, insulting and offensive. It’s not “free” money, it’s support needed at a very difficult time and support that allows us to not become a further drain on public funding that we would if we needed to move and needed council tax, housing benefit and UC as well/instead …or would you prefer to see a terminally ill man and his family homeless so after working as a public servant for 28 years and in other jobs before that, he can die on the streets?
Maybe think before commenting. Maybe consider that life might one day throw you a curve ball resulting in you not being in whatever comfortable and privileged position you’re currently in (and be grateful if it doesn’t) and needing some support.
Life can change in an instant and you can very quickly go from a £40k annual salary to nothing through no fault of your own.
I get pip so will mine increase in April
Cost of living payment should be for everyone on low income , even those who work 16 hours get deducted 55p from every pound earned
Winter fuel payment should be for everyone
Its an annual increase.. not WFP
I get Pip and ESA
I am on pip and get 307 a mth for having fits that I get 3 or 4 every week and cant cook cant even have a bath when have a shower I have to bring a chair into sit down and will I get it
yea begs the question – from ‘gov site, “below”
I don’t understand the reasoning for 55p off every pound at such a low level earned…
Top rate for tax year 2023 to 2024 47% — Over £125,141
They should help the working families who are on a low income not just those on benefits I know a lot of families who work that struggle pay check to pay check
And this PIP thing my daughter isn’t entitled to it even tho just steeping outside her front door could kill her or someone who walks into her home she’s anaphylactic and is allergic to the very thing that keeps us alive she spends 24/7 in doors but yet she’s not entitled to pip 🤬
I get enhance pip and I have been in remission from cancer for one year & have not received my cost of living payment nor my heating payment . I am supposed to keep warm I am always cold.i spoken to macmillan help services & they say I am entitled to the extra.
Could someone please help me with this matter I am very tired at the moment.
Kind regards
Ms Julie M Berry
I am on enhanced PiP
I didn’t receive the cost of living payment even though I am in receipt of U.C and council tax reduction
Tbh i really don’t understand any of it. .
My monthly PIP payment is 748 but they take something off mine for an overpayment I previous had.
Life is very hard an as many have previous stated life my throw something at you that u dont expect everyone is different and nobody knows what is round the corning
No body has the right to judge
When are the cost of living getting paid out on 2025
When I’d the codt of living payment going in?
And what about pensioners people get pension credit to top their state pension up to the same as us on full state pension it’s a bloody joke