The £300 Cost of Living Payment is making a return this September, and for many UK households, it couldn’t come at a better time. As food prices stay high and energy bills remain a burden, this financial support is designed to offer much-needed relief to those who need it most. If you’re struggling to manage essentials like heating, food, and water, this payment might help ease the pressure—provided you meet the criteria and act fast.
This month’s £300 Cost of Living Payment is part of the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Household Support Fund and is available to eligible residents living within Kingston. The process isn’t automatic. Applications are handled on a first come, first served basis with only 80 slots available each month, making speed and preparedness key if you want to secure your claim.
£300 Cost of Living Payment: How It Works in September 2025
The £300 Cost of Living Payment offers targeted support to households in Kingston grappling with the rising costs of food, fuel, and other essentials. Unlike other benefits, this payment isn’t automatically issued—you must apply, and only the first 80 eligible applications are accepted each month. For September 2025, the application window opened at 9am on Monday, 2 September, and will close once the cap is reached. If approved, successful applicants can expect payments to begin arriving between 9 September and 13 September 2025, depending on processing times and bank schedules. The scheme is part of Household Support Fund 7 (HSF 7) and runs until 31 March 2026, but each household can only receive the payment once during this period. So if you haven’t claimed yet, now is the time to act.
Overview Table: Quick Facts About the £300 Cost of Living Payment
| Detail | Information |
| Payment Amount | £300 per eligible household |
| Region | Kingston, UK |
| September Application Open Date | 2 September 2025, 9am |
| Monthly Limit | 80 approved applications |
| Next Opening Date | 1 October 2025, 9am |
| Funding Period | 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026 |
| Funding Source | DWP Household Support Fund (HSF 7) |
| Eligibility | Low-income families, pensioners, disabled individuals |
| Application Method | Online via Kingston Council or through a professional |
| Total Kingston Fund | £1,520,777.72 |
New £300 Cost of Living payments for UK households on ‘first come first served’ basis
This month’s rollout of the £300 Cost of Living Payment is not automatic—you need to apply, and fast. Kingston Council has confirmed that only 80 applications per month will be approved under the current scheme. These applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and the form is shut down as soon as the monthly cap is reached. That means acting early on the day the application opens is essential.
If you’re unable to complete the application yourself, someone like a support worker or a professional adviser can submit it on your behalf. But make sure you’re providing accurate information. The council will cross-check your details with DWP and council records, and false or misleading claims will be rejected and may be treated as fraudulent.
Who’s Eligible to Claim the Payment?
To qualify for the £300 Cost of Living Payment, you must live in the Kingston borough and meet specific financial hardship criteria. The payment is aimed at helping vulnerable households who are struggling to pay for:
- Food
- Heating and electricity
- Water bills
- Other essential living costs
You may be eligible if you are:
- A pensioner on a low income
- A person with a disability
- Part of a low-income family with dependent children
- Living on means-tested benefits or struggling financially without them
Importantly, even if you fit into one or more of these categories, you can only receive the payment once during the entire funding period. If you’ve already claimed it earlier this year, you won’t be eligible again.
Application Form Will Close Once 80 Applications Are Received Each Month
Kingston Council has made it clear: this is not an open-ended scheme. Each month, once 80 valid applications are received, the online application form is deactivated. It will then reopen the following month on the first working day. For September, the form opened on 2 September 2025, and if you missed it, your next opportunity will be on 1 October 2025.
That makes planning ahead crucial. It’s advisable to gather your documents (proof of income, residency, benefits, etc.) in advance. Set a reminder, and aim to apply within the first hour of the form opening if possible.
Applying Does Not Guarantee Support from the Household Support Fund
Just because you apply doesn’t mean you’ll automatically receive the £300 Cost of Living Payment. Applications are carefully reviewed to ensure that all information provided matches council and DWP records. If anything looks off or is incomplete, your application could be denied.
Worse still, if your application contains knowingly false information, it may be flagged as fraud. To avoid this, make sure your details are accurate, your documents are up to date, and your situation aligns with the scheme’s eligibility criteria.
If You Believe You May Be Eligible
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, it’s still worth checking. You can apply directly through the Kingston Council website, and if you’re unsure about the process, a professional adviser can help you complete the form.
It’s also worth noting that if you’re caring for someone, have recently lost employment, or are facing unexpected costs, you may qualify based on exceptional circumstances. Kingston Council has discretion in how it applies the Household Support Fund, so don’t assume you won’t be eligible.
What the Council Says
Kingston Council has received over £1.5 million in funding from the DWP to support local residents through the current economic challenges. Their goal is to assist those most at risk of financial hardship, especially households with children, elderly residents, and people with disabilities.
This is not a long-term solution, but a short-term support measure designed to help residents stay afloat during a period of rising costs. The council has urged residents to act quickly and ensure their information is accurate and complete when applying.
FAQs
1. How often can I apply for the £300 Cost of Living Payment?
Only once during the funding period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. If you’ve already received the payment, you can’t apply again.
2. Is the £300 Cost of Living Payment available to people on Universal Credit?
Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria and live in Kingston. Being on Universal Credit may support your application but is not the only requirement.
3. What should I do if I miss the application window?
You can try again the following month. Applications open at 9am on the first working day of each month and close after 80 successful submissions.
4. Can someone help me apply?
Yes, a professional such as a support worker, social worker, or housing adviser can submit the application for you.
5. What happens if I provide incorrect information?
Your application may be declined or flagged as fraud. Always provide honest and accurate information.
Final Thought
The £300 Cost of Living Payment could make a big difference to families and individuals facing financial difficulties in Kingston. But with only 80 payments available each month and strict eligibility checks, you’ll need to be both fast and thorough. If you think you might qualify, don’t delay. Prepare your documents, set a reminder for the application date, and make sure you’re ready to apply as soon as the form goes live.
If this article helped you understand the process better, feel free to share it with someone who might benefit. You can also explore more local support schemes through Kingston Council’s official website.
