As the chill of winter approaches, certain UK households are set to receive a helping hand from the Government in the form of one-off payments to ease the financial strain of the season.
Following an approximate 10% rise in the energy price cap this October, many will be bracing for steeper heating costs as the cold sets in.
While there won’t be any “cost of living” payments this year, individuals on specific benefits could benefit from up to six separate payments, potentially amounting to hundreds of pounds in total.
Some of these payments are designed to directly offset energy bills, which is particularly timely given the more stringent eligibility requirements for the Winter Fuel Payment this year. Others offer broader support for everyday expenses.
Below is a guide to the one-off payments expected to land in bank accounts over the coming winter, courtesy of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland, reports the Express.
Winter Fuel Payment – £200-£300.
Eligible recipients of the Winter Fuel Payment can look forward to up to £300 to assist with heating expenses.
To qualify for the payment in the winter of 2024 to 2025, individuals must have been born on or before September 23, 1958, and reside in England or Wales while also receiving certain benefits:.
Typically, those born between September 23, 1944, and September 22, 1958, are entitled to £200, whereas those born on or before September 23, 1944, can receive the larger sum of £300.
It’s estimated that around 880,000 pensioners may be eligible for Pension Credit but aren’t claiming it. This makes it crucial for individuals to check their eligibility as it could entitle them to Winter Fuel Payment support.
From mid-October, letters were dispatched detailing the amount eligible people would receive. Most payments are made automatically in November or December.
The Warm Home Discount offers a one-off £150 rebate on households’ electricity bills. Households eligible for this payment can automatically receive it if they’re receiving the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit, or are on a low income and have high energy costs.
Other qualifying benefits include the Savings Credit portion of Pension Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
Most qualifying households should anticipate receiving a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirming their eligibility between November and January.
The payment is then made directly to the household’s energy provider between November and March.
Each year, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) distributes a one-off tax-free £10 payment just before Christmas – although the figure hasn’t changed since 1972.
People do not need to claim the bonus, it will arrive automatically in the bank accounts of those eligible.
To secure a Christmas Bonus, individuals must be present or “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week, typically the first week of December.
Eligibility also hinges on receiving at least one of the following benefits in the qualifying week:.
Missing out on claiming the state pension or ineligible for one of the other qualifying benefits means no Christmas Bonus will be awarded.
Each person in a marital, civil partnership, or cohabiting situation who receives one of the qualifying benefits is entitled to their own Christmas Bonus payment.
Recipients can expect the Christmas Bonus payment to land in early December.
There’s also the Child Winter Heating Payment, amounting to £251.50:.
Though aimed mainly at families with disabled children, certain pensioners may also gain from this payment if they’re the legal guardians of a qualifying child.
Scottish residents are targeted by the Child Winter Heating Payment and the sum of £251 is intended to aid with heating costs when it gets cold.
Qualification for this payment requires living with a young person under 19 eligible for the highest rate of the care component of the child disability payment (CDP) or disability living allowance (DLA), or the enhanced rate of the daily living component of the adult disability payment (ADP) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
To qualify, individuals must have been claiming one of these benefits during the qualifying week of 16-22 September, 2024.
Social Security Scotland has confirmed that payments began to be deposited into eligible households’ bank accounts in October and will continue this month.
Winter Heating Payment – £58.75.
The Winter Heating Payment is available to those in Scotland who are eligible for certain benefits, such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit. This year, the payment amounts to £58.75.
The payment will be issued in a single instalment between mid-December and February 2025.
Carer’s Allowance Supplement – £288.60.
The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is an additional payment made to unpaid carers in Scotland in recognition of their contributions. It’s an automatic payment made twice a year by Social Security Scotland, with the next one due in December.
Scots qualify for this payment if they received Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance on 7 October, 2024. Those due a payment will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland beforehand.
The second Carer’s Allowance Supplement is typically paid to those eligible in December.
Household Support Fund.
Furthermore, Britons are being encouraged to check if they can claim money or vouchers from their local council this winter.
The Household Support Fund is aimed at the most vulnerable households and is typically used to assist them with the cost of essentials like groceries, toiletries, and energy bills.
The Government has boosted the fund by an additional £421million this year, which is distributed to local authorities across England to assist those most in need. The fund will be available from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
Councils in England are tasked with deciding how best to allocate their share of the fund, drawing on local knowledge and directly engaging with community members. The amount of funding each council receives is determined by the size of its population and its specific needs.
To give a few examples of how local authorities have previously utilised the fund, Birmingham City Council issued grants of up to £200 to aid households with food and energy costs.
Residents can discover how much their area was granted at GOV. UK and are encouraged to check their local council’s website or contact their office to find out what payments are available to them locally through the fund.