All the DWP payments worth £1.1k coming before Christmas – find out what you are eligible for
Aneira Davies
Social and newsletter writerThere's more financial help for families on the way – just in time for the festive period
Families facing extra price hikes and rising bills could be in line for an extra £1,085 in the run-up to Christmas.
The extra help comes in the form of 6 payments due before the end of the year and, while you may not be eligible for all 6, some of these will certainly be a help for struggling households.
From the £300 Cost of Living payment, to the Warm Home Discount scheme, families are urged not to miss out.
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1. Second Cost of Living payment – £300
The Government's second Cost of Living payment is due within weeks and anyone expecting this money will be paid it automatically to their bank account.
It's the second of 3 Cost of Living payments for the year 2023-2024 that make up a £900 Cost of Living payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The first – worth £301 – was paid out in April and May this year, the second is for £300 and will be paid between 31 October and 19 November and the final instalment – worth £299 – is to be given out in spring 2024.
Eligibility depends on which benefits you're claiming, but usually you'll be able to get the payment if you were claiming one of the below benefits on the qualifying date (which for this payment was between 18 August and 17 September):
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
2. Winter Fuel Payment – £100 to £300
Anyone born before 24 September 1957 will be able to claim an extra cash boost towards their energy bills this winter, in the form of the Winter Fuel Payment.
The money is usually paid to recipients in November or December, and while the Government is yet to announce the dates for this year, it's likely to follow the same pattern as previous years.
Anyone hoping to claim the money will also need to have lived in the UK for at least 1 day during the qualifying week – which, this year, fell between 18 to 24 September 2023.
3. Pensioner Cost of Living payment – £300
On top of the Winter Fuel Payment, some people over the age of retirement will also be eligible for an extra Cost of Living payment – worth £300.
If you're eligible, the money will be given to you automatically, alongside the Winter Fuel Payment.
The Pensioner's Cost of Living payment will be paid out to eligible households in November 2023.
4. Cold Weather payment – £25
The Cold Weather Payment is an extra financial boost offered to anyone on certain benefits and who meets certain criteria.
The payment – worth £25 for every 7 day period where the temperature reaches below 0°C – is for households in England and Wales (there's a separate scheme in Scotland).
You may be able to receive the Cold Weather Payment if you claim certain benefits.
These include:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
If you qualify, the payment will be made automatically to you within 14 days of the end of the period of cold weather.
And it runs from 1 November to 31 March 2024.
5. Warm Home Discount – £150
Millions of households could get £150 off their electricity bill under the Government's Warm Home Discount scheme.
The scheme, which opened on 16 October, will be paid directly to your energy account by your supplier between now and March 2024.
Eligibility depends on which benefits you claim and who you're signed up with, but many energy suppliers are already confirmed to take part in the scheme – including British Gas and OVO. You can see which suppliers are signed up, here.
If you live in England and Wales
You qualify if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low income and have high energy costs
If you live in Scotland
You qualify if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme
To be eligible for the £150 discount, you must have been claiming a qualifying benefit on the qualifying date – 13 August 2023.
Those on a low income may be eligible if they claim one of the below benefits:
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- 'Savings Credit' part of Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
6. DWP bonus – £10
This one-off bonus given out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is for anyone who claims a qualifying DWP benefit.
The annual payment is tax-free, doesn't affect any other benefits you're claiming and is given out annually.
The money is usually paid to recipients during the first week of December – but this year's date is yet to be announced.
To get the payment, you'll need to be 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week – and you'll be paid the money automatically.
But some have called the minimal payment 'a joke'.
Apply for EXTRA DWP payment
Families who might find themselves struggling during the cost of living crisis are also being urged to ensure they're making the most of the Household Support Fund (HSF).
According to new figures, the fund has paid out more than £26 million since its launch in October 2021 – but many families still are not aware of it.
So 'unknown' is the Fund, the DWP has now launched aHousehold Support Fund awareness week – beginning on Monday, 16 October. During the week the DWP is encouraging vulnerable people across England to contact their councils to find out what support is available in their area.
Find out everything you need to know about the Household Support Fund, including who gets it.
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