UK households getting six free Cost of Living payments worth £3,225

As the autumn begins to get progressively colder, households are being handed financial help in the form of THOUSANDS of pounds.
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A full list of free cash worth up to £3,225 that could hit bank accounts by Christmas have been revealed. As the autumn begins to get progressively colder, households are being handed financial help in the form of THOUSANDS of pounds.

The Department for Work and Pensions has a string of schemes and payments open to help DWP claimants. People on benefits can access everything from the Warm Home Discount, which gives them £150 from their energy supplier, to a £10 Christmas Bonus.

The schemes and payments are available for people on some of the most commonly-claimed benefits. This includes the likes of Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment, or PIP, as well as the likes of the State Pension, be it old or new.

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£150 Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount scheme, which provides some of the poorest pensioners and households with a one-time £150 reduction in their bills during winter, is set to launch again from October. The discount can be applied at any point between October and March, with energy companies deciding when to implement it. Pensioners who receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit qualify, as do some people on benefits like Universal Credit if they also have high energy costs.

This is determined by energy companies. Those who qualify for support will receive letters.

£300 Winter Fuel Payment

This year winter fuel payments will only be made to retirees on Pension Credit and several other means-tested benefits. Under the new rules, all households claiming the following benefits will automatically receive this year's winter fuel payment, unless they live abroad:

  • Pension Credit

  • Universal Credit

  • Income Support

  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

  • Income-related Employment Support Allowance

  • Child tax credit

  • Working tax credit

To claim by post, you'll need to fill in the winter fuel payment claim form and post it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. This will be available at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim from September 30.

£25 Cold Weather Payment

The Cold Weather Payment scheme will reopen on November 1, 2024, and will run until March 31, 2025. The money goes to people on low incomes who receive certain benefits. You'll get a payment if the average temperature where you live hits zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days. The payments are worth £25 per seven day period - but you can receive multiple Cold Weather Payments if you get several periods of freezing weather. The money should be paid into your bank account automatically within 14 working day - although there are some cases where you may need to apply.

£10 Christmas Bonus

Those receiving benefits could be eligible for a £10 Christmas bonus. The Department for Work and Pensions usually pays the bonus during the first full week of December.

If you receive any of the following benefits, the money will be paid automatically into your registered payment account.

  • Armed Forces Independence Payment

  • Attendance Allowance

  • Carer’s Allowance

  • Child Disability Payment

  • Constant Attendance Allowance

  • Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance

  • Disability Living Allowance

  • Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate

  • Industrial Death Benefit

  • Mobility Supplement

  • Pension Credit - the guarantee element

  • Personal Independence Payment

  • State Pension

  • Severe Disablement Allowance

  • Unemployability Supplement or Allowance

  • War Disablement Pension at State Pension age

  • War Widow’s Pension

  • Widowed Mother’s Allowance

  • Widowed Parent’s Allowance

  • Widow’s Pension

Household Support Fund - up to £740

Local councils will be making cost of living payments through the Household Support Fund (HSF). The fund, which is financed by the Government, has been confirmed to extend into the winter. Some councils may launch their funds from October, though others may not do so until closer to Christmas. Households are advised to check their local authority's online cost of living support pages for full details.

This is where applications can be made once the fund opens. Typically, applicants must demonstrate that they are experiencing financial hardship and finding it difficult to afford basic necessities such as food, gas, and electricity.

In Plymouth eligible residents could receive a maximum of £740 in vouchers.

Energy grants - up to £2,000

Energy firms are handing out up to £2,000 to help those struggling with energy costs to cover bills. Many will write off debts or offer grants for as much as £2,000.