The DWP payments worth up to £485 landing before Christmas

There are a range of payments that people could get

Christmas can be a very expensive time of the year. There are all the presents you are expected to buy, the pressure to entertain, to buy more food and to go out to do things, among others.

There are a range of payments that people could get from the Department of Work and Pensions to help them get through the next few months. These add up to £485, which would make a big difference to lots of people.

The full details on the schemes from the DWP are listed below:

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The DWP Christmas £10 bonus

The Christmas bonus is worth £10 and is paid to eligible households at the start of December. It is paid out to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week, which is normally the first full week of December. It should get paid automatically.

Cold Weather Payment worth £25

This depends on the weather. You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.

Claimants get £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31. After each period of very cold weather in your area, you should get a payment within 14 working days.

It is paid out into the same account as your benefit payments and, if you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically. The payments do not affect your other benefits.

Winter Fuel Payment - up to £300

If you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

This payment has been in the news a lot recently after the Government announced that future payments would only be made to those on Pension Credit or other mean-tested benefits, rather than all pensioners. The changes mean that over 10 million pensioners will no longer receive the payment, reports the BBC.

Warm Home Discount - £150

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. Those eligible get the money discounted off their bills, rather than the money being paid to them.

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. The Warm Home Discount Scheme is set to reopen this month.