As the final days of 2025 approach, many across the UK are preparing for New Year celebrations. However, it's also a critical time for two key Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) support payments, designed to help with the higher costs of the winter period, which are expected to arrive in bank accounts before January 1.
Winter Fuel Payment: Up to £300 for Heating Costs
The annual, tax-free Winter Fuel Payment is a significant benefit aimed at assisting older residents with their heating bills during the coldest months. The DWP typically issues most payments automatically in November or December.
Eligibility for the payment hinges on your date of birth and circumstances during a specific 'qualifying week'. You qualify if you were born before September 22, 1959 and live in England or Wales. The exact amount you receive depends on your situation during the qualifying week of September 15 to 21, 2025, and can be influenced by other benefits you claim, such as Pension Credit.
Generally, if you live alone or no one else in your household qualifies, you could get:
- £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959.
- £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945.
Different amounts apply for couples who jointly claim certain benefits. The government states that any money received will not affect your other benefits. If you have not received your payment by January 28, 2026, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
It is important to note that Scotland has replaced this payment with the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP), while Northern Ireland runs its own scheme with identical eligibility rules.
The £10 Christmas Bonus: A One-Off Support Payment
The DWP's Christmas Bonus is a separate, tax-free £10 payment made to individuals who receive the State Pension or one of 24 other qualifying benefits during the qualifying week of December 1-7.
This payment is issued automatically and does not require a claim. It is paid into the account where you normally get your benefit or State Pension, but as a separate transaction, so it may arrive on a different day. Most payments were issued by December 24, with processing continuing until December 31.
To be eligible, claimants must be present or 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during that qualifying week. The extensive list of qualifying benefits includes:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- War Disablement Pension
If you believe you are eligible but have not received the £10 bonus by January 1, the DWP advises contacting either the Pension Service or your local Jobcentre Plus office, depending on who manages your payments.
Act Now If You Have Not Received Payment
While the vast majority of these payments are issued without any action required from recipients, it is crucial to be proactive if you believe you are owed money. For the Winter Fuel Payment, eligible individuals should have received a letter in October or November detailing their amount. The absence of this letter could indicate a need to make a claim.
These two benefits represent vital financial support for many during an expensive time of year. With the deadline for the Christmas Bonus imminent and the Winter Fuel Payment window closing, residents are urged to check their bank statements and understand their eligibility to ensure they receive the support they are entitled to.
