DWP handing out seven payments on top of benefits worth £1,607 before Christmas

The Department for Work and Pensions is poised to send out seven payments ON TOP of benefits worth £1,607 before Christmas. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging households to check eligibility for additional financial support available between now and the end of March.

The money will come from four DWP schemes which are paid out every year, although some may be paid a tad later in the New Year. Birmingham Live have rounded up each of the four payments set for December and explained who will be eligible for them, the criteria and more.

We can also share when people should expect the cash to be paid into their account. Here is a rundown of the one-off payments set to hit bank accounts this winter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland.

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Winter Fuel Payment - £200-£300

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said that from autumn 2024, anyone not on Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits will no longer get the winter fuel payment. In the past, everyone in England and Wales born before September 25, 1957 was entitled to the payment, which is worth either £200 or £300, depending on your circumstances.

Around 10 million people will be affected. While some say they don't need the payment, a number of charities and MPs are concerned that people on a relatively small income will miss out. An estimated 880,000 eligible pensioners fail to claim Pension Credit.

Warm Home Discount - £150 paid directly to energy supplier

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. If you're eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you and you will usually get the discount automatically if you're eligible. You only need to apply if you're on a low income in Scotland - contact your energy supplier to apply.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you're eligible. You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter.

Your electricity supplier can tell you how you'll get the discount if you're eligible. For example, you can use a voucher to top up your meter.

DWP Christmas Bonus - £10

According to the UK government website: "The Christmas Bonus is a one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas, paid to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week. This is normally the first full week of December."

A petition was launched in 2023 urging an immediate increase of more than £100 in the Christmas bonus, aligned with inflation. Almost a year later, the number of signatures on the petition is still growing as people call on Labour to act.

Child Winter Heating Payment - £251.50

The devolved benefit is only available in Scotland and replaced the £25 Cold Weather Payment delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) two years ago. Unlike the DWP benefit, it is not dependent on a sustained period of cold weather in a specific location but is an annual, one-off payment made no matter the temperature.

The majority of people eligible for the Winter Heating Payment during the qualifying week of November 4-10, will receive the payment automatically, with no need to apply. Guidance on mygov.scot explains that Social Security Scotland expects to pay the majority of eligible people by the end of February 2025.

It adds that people who are eligible for the payment will receive a letter before the money lands in their bank account.

Winter Heating Payment - £58.75

It’s important for people in Scotland to be aware that Cold Weather Payments (£25) are no longer issued north of the border and have been replaced by the one-off Winter Heating Payment - worth £58.75 - which will be issued to an estimated 400,000 households from mid-December.

Other support available includes the £150 Warm Home Discount Scheme, which is paid directly to the energy supplier, Winter Fuel Payments of up to £300 for people over State Pension age in receipt of a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit, Tax Credits (with an annual award of at least £26) or Universal Credit (for mixed age couples).

Families of young people (under-19) on disability benefits have already started receiving this year’s Child Winter Heating Payment, which is worth £251.50.

Carer's Allowance Supplement - £288.60

The Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment made to unpaid carers in Scotland to recognise their contributions. It's an automatic payment made twice a year by Social Security Scotland, and the next one is due in December. Scots are eligible for this payment if they received Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on October 7, 2024. People due a payment will get a letter from Social Security Scotland beforehand.

The second Carer’s Allowance Supplement is typically paid to those eligible in December.

Household Support Fund - up to £550

The House Support Fund scheme was launched in October 2021 by the former Conservative Government and has been extended ever since. The most recent extension came this month with the Government announcing announcing further funding of £421 million to keep the scheme going until April 2025.