Although Christmas is still a few months away, it is at the forefront of many people’s minds as the weather turns colder. For some, it can be a troublesome time as they face financial difficulties; however, they may be able to find some assistance from the government in the run-up to December 25.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is planning to issue specific payments, including £100s to be sent to UK households claiming certain benefits. There are also other schemes to be aware of that affect the general public.
The Household Support Fund, the Warm Home Discount and the Winter Fuel Payment are a few that numerous people are bound to benefit from over the coming months. Others include Cold Weather Payments and the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Christmas Bonus.
If each payment arrives before the end of the year, people eligible for all of these could receive as much as £1,085. Below is a rundown of each; check if you are eligible for any.
Household Support Fund: £130 – £600
The Household Support Fund (HSF) will run from April 2025 to March 2026. It provides financial support to local councils, and council officials can then use funds to help vulnerable households with essentials and other living costs. This is a continuation of the same Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) initiative that supports those most in need during the rising cost of living.
If you meet the criteria set by your local council, you could receive support up to £600 in some parts of the UK – just take a look at your local council’s website to find out. You will probably need to contact your local council directly to see what specific forms of assistance are available and how to apply. Some councils may provide direct payments to eligible households, such as those in receipt of Council Tax Reduction.
A statement on the Manchester City Council website reads: “The Household Support Fund helps vulnerable households affected by the cost-of-living crisis. If you qualify for a targeted payment of £130, payment will be made in October/November 2025. Only one payment will be made for the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.”
More than £740 million has been made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to support vulnerable households. The fund is designed to give financial assistance to low-income families, allowing them to use the funds for groceries, bills, or other necessary items, particularly to those who may not qualify for other types of government support.
Warm Home Discount: £150
The Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme gives you a one-time £150 discount on your electricity bill. If you qualify, your electricity provider will apply this discount directly to your bill. You won’t receive the money in cash.
Typically, if you’re eligible, the discount will be applied automatically. The WHD scheme for winter 2025/2026 is set to begin across England, Wales and Scotland in the coming months. The one-off £150 discount will be applied between November 2025 and March 31, 2026, at the latest.
Winter Fuel Payment: £200 – £300
For the winter season of 2025 to 2026, the Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales is set at £200 for households with someone between the State Pension age and 79 and £300 for those with a member aged 80 or older. This payment is designated for people born on or before September 21, 1959, and recipients can expect to receive a letter in October or November that’ll tell them if they’re eligible and their payment details. If your income is over £35,000, HMRC may recover the payment through the tax system.
DWP Christmas Bonus: £10
People who are eligible for specific benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will get a £10 Christmas Bonus in December 2025. This one-time, tax-free payment will be automatically credited to recipients in the first week of December and will appear on bank statements as ‘DWP XB’. To be eligible, you need to have been receiving a qualifying benefit during the qualifying week in December.
If you think you qualify but haven’t gotten the payment by January 1, 2025, reach out to the Jobcentre Plus office that manages your benefits or the Pension Service. The £10 Christmas Bonus was first introduced in 1972 and has stayed the same amount ever since, even with inflation. People are asking for the bonus to be raised to match its original worth.
Cold Weather Payments: £25
The government’s Cold Weather Payment scheme is heavily dependent on the weather. During the 2025 to 2026 timeframe, you can get a Cold Weather Payment of £25 for every seven-day stretch when the average temperature in your area hits 0C or lower, or is predicted to do so, from November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.
The government automatically sends these payments to people on certain benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and other qualifying benefits. To find out if your area qualifies and to check if you should have gotten a payment, just use the Cold Weather Payment checker on the GOV.UK website.
When you visit the GOV.UK website, enter your postcode to see if your local weather station has recorded or is forecasting 0C or below for seven consecutive days. If you claim Universal Credit, you can check your online journal for updates. If you think you are due a payment but haven’t received it, you can contact the relevant department directly.
