DWP Payments: Financial Assistance to Help You Stay Warm
DWP payments totalling £1,100 hitting Lincolnshire banks account before Christmas to help with heating and the cost of living.
As the colder months approach, the cost of living tends to increase, especially when it comes to energy bills. To help individuals and families in Lincolnshire cope with these higher costs, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides several payments that can be a lifeline during these challenging times.
The payments will be given to certain groups in Lincolnshire including Grimsby, Lincoln, Skegness, Boston, and Scunthorpe to help with the rising bills.
The majority of the payments are automatic, however, some of them people may need to claim. Here, we highlight all the financial help for the coming few months.
Second Cost of Living Payment – £300
The second instalment of the three cost of living payments for the year 2023-24 is set to be released this autumn. This payment is available to individuals claiming certain DWP or HMRC benefits, including:
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit
The exact date for this payment has not yet been announced. However, if we look at the pattern from previous years, it is likely to be paid in November. Last year, the payment window was announced in October, and the money was sent between November 8 and 23. The qualifying period for last year’s autumn payment was from August 26 to September 25. Keep an eye out for announcements from the government to stay updated on the qualifying period and payment dates.
Winter Fuel Payment – Up to £300
The Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help individuals born before September 24, 1957, who have lived in the UK for at least one day during the qualifying week. This year, the qualifying week is from 18 to 24 September 2023. The payment amount varies depending on your circumstances and living arrangements, with some households receiving up to £600 of extra help.
The payment is usually made in November or December, and you will receive a letter informing you of the amount you will receive and the estimated payment date. In some cases, households may need to actively claim the payment, and the deadline for claiming is typically the end of March. To find out if you are eligible and how much you could receive, refer to our article on the Winter Fuel Payment.
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment – £300
Pensioner households who already claim the Winter Fuel Payment will also receive an additional £300 this winter. This payment is automatically sent alongside the Winter Fuel Payment, providing extra financial support to help pensioners cope with the higher costs associated with colder weather.
Cold Weather Payment – £25
The Cold Weather Payment scheme, running from November to March, provides individuals with £25 for each seven-day period when temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius in their area. To be eligible for this payment, you must be claiming one of the following benefits:
Pension Credit
Income Support (with disability or pensioner premium, a disabled child, Child Tax Credit including a disability or severe disability element, or a child under five living with you)
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (with disability or pensioner premium, a disabled child, Child Tax Credit including a disability or severe disability element, or a child under five living with you)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (with severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a disabled child, Child Tax Credit including a disability or severe disability element, or a child under five living with you)
Universal Credit (with limited capability for work due to a health condition or disability, or with a child under five living with you)
Support for Mortgage Interest (with severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a disabled child, Child Tax Credit including a disability or severe disability element, or a child under five living with you)
The payment is usually made automatically within 14 working days. If there are multiple spells of freezing weather, you can receive multiple Cold Weather Payments. To check if you are due a payment, use the government’s online checker tool. Please note that Cold Weather Payments are no longer available in Scotland, but you may be eligible for an annual £50 Winter Heating Payment instead.
Warm Home Discount – £150
Under the Warm Home Discount scheme, you could receive a £150 reduction on your electricity bill for winter 2023/24. It’s important to note that this is not a cash payment; instead, it is applied to your energy account by your supplier. If you have a prepay meter, you will typically receive a top-up voucher.
To be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, your energy supplier must be participating in the scheme. You can find a full list of participating suppliers on the Gov.uk website. Additionally, you need to fall into one of the two core groups in England and Wales during the qualifying date, which is yet to be confirmed for this year. The two core groups are:
Core Group 1: If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
Core Group 2: If you have a low income and receive certain means-tested benefits
In Scotland, these groups are referred to as the “Core Group” and the “Broader Group.”
DWP £10 Bonus
Every year, individuals who are claiming a qualifying DWP benefit are eligible to receive a one-off £10 bonus. This payment is tax-free and does not affect any other benefits you may be receiving.
The money is typically paid in December, usually during the first week, just in time for Christmas. To be eligible for the Christmas Bonus, you must be present or “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week.
You do not need to claim the bonus; it will be paid automatically. If you are part of a married couple, in a civil partnership, or living together, both individuals will receive the Christmas Bonus payment if they qualify. For a full list of qualifying benefits, refer to the government website.