Key DWP payment dates for 2024 including Universal Credit and Christmas Bonus

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The ongoing cost of living crisis continues to push prices up, impacting everything from energy bills to food costs.

As winter approaches, it's crucial for millions of UK residents to secure as much financial aid as possible.

Many depend on Department for Work and Pension (DWP) payments to help them stay afloat financially. The amount received largely hinges on the benefits you're entitled to and what you are currently being paid.

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The Government provides various funds aimed at supporting the most vulnerable individuals, particularly as temperatures fall. These schemes include Universal Credit, the Warm Home Discount Scheme, Cold Weather Payments and a Christmas bonus.

With the energy price cap set to rise in October, many people are focusing on their finances. From October 1 to December 31, 2024, the energy price cap will be fixed at £1,717 per year for an average household that uses both electricity and gas and pays via direct debit.

This represents a 10% increase from the previous limit of £1,568, which was in effect from July 1 to September 30, 2024. But there are a number of payment schemes that the DWP intends to implement between now and the end of 2024, reports the Manchester Evening News.

1. Benefits going out as usual

The standard benefits and pension payments will be dispatched as usual in September, October and November, given that there are no bank holidays during these months. However, the dates for your DWP payments may alter in December due to the festive season.

  • Universal Credit

  • State pension

  • Pension credit

  • Child benefit

  • Disability living allowance

  • Personal independence payment

  • Attendance allowance

  • Carer’s allowance

  • Employment support allowance

  • Income support

  • Jobseeker’s allowance

Universal Credit: Universal Credit is a monthly payment designed to assist with living costs. The standard monthly rate for adults over 25 is £393.45 for single individuals and £617.60 for couples.

For those under 25, the monthly standard rate is £311.68 for singles and £489.23 for couples.

You might be eligible for Universal Credit if you're on a low income or require help with your living costs. This could apply whether you're out of work, working (including self-employed or part time), or unable to work due to a health condition.

To make a claim, you must reside in the UK, be aged 18 or over (with some exceptions for those aged 16 to 17), be below State Pension age, and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.

Budgeting advance loans: The Government provides a 'budgeting advance loan' to aid those facing an urgent financial crisis. To qualify for a Budgeting Loan, you must have been receiving one or more of these benefits for the past six months:

  • Income Support

  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance

  • Pension Credit

If you transitioned from Universal Credit to Pension Credit, any time spent claiming Universal Credit will count towards the six months. If you're currently on Universal Credit, you cannot apply for a Budgeting Loan.

Instead, apply for a Budgeting Advance instead.

2. Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is set to reopen in October 2024, offering a one-off discount of £150 on your electricity bill. The discount will be applied directly to your bill by your electricity supplier if you're eligible.

The discount isn't paid to you directly. If you're eligible, you'll typically receive the discount automatically.

However, if you're on a low income in Scotland, you'll need to apply - get in touch with your energy supplier to do so.

If your energy supplier provides both gas and electricity and you qualify, you might be able to get a discount on your gas bill instead. Reach out to your supplier for more details.

Eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount Scheme vary depending on where you live. If you're a resident of England and Wales, you qualify if you either:

  • get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit

  • are on a low income and have high energy costs

If you reside in Scotland, you qualify if you either:

  • get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit

  • are on a low income in Scotland and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme

3. DWP Christmas Bonus

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offers a one-off, tax-free Christmas Bonus of £10, usually distributed before Christmas Day. This bonus is available to those who are receiving certain benefits during the qualifying week, typically the first full week of December.

There's no need to apply; it will be automatically credited to your account. You must be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits during the 'qualifying week':

  • Adult Disability Payment

  • Armed Forces Independence Payment

  • Attendance Allowance

  • Carer’s Allowance

  • Child Disability Payment

  • Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)

  • Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)

  • Disability Living Allowance

  • Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate

  • Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)

  • Mobility Supplement

  • Pension Credit - the guarantee element

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

  • State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)

  • Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)

  • Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)

  • War Disablement Pension at State Pension age

  • War Widow’s Pension

  • Widowed Mother’s Allowance

  • Widowed Parent’s Allowance

  • Widow’s Pension

If you haven't claimed your State Pension and aren't entitled to any of the other qualifying benefits, you won't receive a Christmas Bonus.

4. Cold Weather Payment

If you're on certain benefits or receiving Support for Mortgage Interest, you may qualify for Cold Weather Payments. If you meet the eligibility criteria, these payments will be automatically made to you.

There's no need to apply, but do let Jobcentre Plus know if you have a newborn or if a child under five has moved into your home. You could be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you're receiving:

  • Pension Credit

  • Income Support

  • income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance

  • Universal Credit

  • Support for Mortgage Interest

These payments won't impact your other benefits. You'll receive a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days.

For each week of severe cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025, you'll receive £25.

5. State pension

The new State Pension can be claimed when you reach the State Pension age if you're a man born on or after 6 April, 1951 and a woman born on or after 6 April, 1953. Those born before these dates will receive the basic State Pension and may also qualify for Additional State Pension.

Your State Pension amount is determined by your National Insurance record. The new state pension stands at £221.20 per week, while the basic state pension is £169.50 per week.

6. Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born before September 23, 1958, you could be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment of either £200 or £300 to assist with your heating costs for the winter season of 2024 to 2025. Eligibility hinges on whether you or your partner are in receipt of certain benefits.

If you're eligible, the Winter Fuel Payment is typically made automatically.

You should expect a letter in October or November outlining how much you'll receive. If you don't get a letter but believe you qualify, check if you need to make a claim.

The majority of eligible individuals receive payment in November or December. It's projected that 1.5 million people in 1.3 million households in England and Wales will make a claim in 2024-25.

7. Household support fund

Another potential source of help is the Household Support Fund. In the recent Spring Budget, former chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that the Household Support Fund will continue until September 2024.

This fund aims to help local authorities in England provide emergency assistance to vulnerable families and individuals. You can verify your eligibility according to your local council's rules using the Gov.uk website search tool.

8. Cost of living payment

Unlike last autumn/winter, there will be no cost of living payments made to Brits for the rest of this year. The final payment of £299 was made between February 6 and February 22, 2024.

If you haven't received a payment, you can check the payment date on your awards notice. If there was a weekend or bank holiday, the payment may be delayed until the next working day.

You can also contact your bank to see if a payment is pending. If the payment is still missing, you can get in touch with the office that manages your benefit or pension.