Low-income Support Payment

Cost of Living Payment

Payments will be processed by end of June 2025.

Help is available for residents in the borough struggling with household bills, food, clothing or travel costs. The Council is supporting low-income households with a £50 payment to help with ongoing cost of living. Only one single payment of £50 will be made to each household (each address). 

Eligibility

You are eligible for a £50 payment if you are:

• resident in Kensington and Chelsea or placed in a household outside the borough by the Council’s Housing team.
• receiving at least one of the following benefits:
  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Reduction
  • Universal Credit Housing Allowance 

How to apply

If you are the tenant or owner of the property and are receiving Housing Benefit, Universal Credit Allowance or Council Tax Reduction, you do not need to apply: you will automatically receive this payment.

We will send an email or a letter to all eligible residents asking you to confirm:

• your National Insurance number
• whether you would like a bank payment or a Post Office payment 
• your bank account details if they have changed since spring 2024

You can also provide these using our online form:

Confirm your details

Frequently asked questions

Who is entitled to the low-income Cost of Living Payment?

Any resident in Kensington and Chelsea or anyone placed in a household outside the borough by the Council’s Housing team, who is in receipt of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction or Universal Credit Housing Allowance at the end of February 2025.

I receive Housing Benefit and Council Tax reduction but do not have a bank account?

We can arrange to make a payment via the Post Office. When we contact you to request your bank details you should confirm you do not have an account and require a Post Office payment.

How will I know if I have received the payment?

Check your bank account to see if you have received the payment.

I will soon be making a claim for Council Tax reduction. What should I do?

If you made your claim before 1 March 2025, you will be eligible and will receive the £50 Low-income Support Payment. If, by making your claim, you become eligible after 1 March 2025, you will not receive the payment.

Contact us

• email: [email protected]. Use 'bank information' in the subject field so that we can easily identify your response
• by post: 

Low Income Support Payment Fund
3rd Floor
Kensington Town Hall
London
W8 7NX

•  in person: Customer Services Centre reception, Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX 

Further information

Visit our Cost of Living Support Hub.