Government payments due December 2022 – from Christmas bonus to energy bills support

As the cost of living crisis continues, you might be wondering when government support is on its way.

The majority of us should receive a discount on our energy bills in December 2022, as the temperature takes a dip into freezing – while people in certain groups, such as pensioners, may be entitled to other forms of monetary support.

It’s particularly handy to know when these payments are due to arrive from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) or government generally this month, given that Christmas is just around the corner.

Here’s a list of what’s arriving in peoples’ bank accounts.

DWP/government payments due in December 2022

Christmas Bonus (£10)

From the first full week of December, people on certain benefits will receive a £10, tax-free bonus from the DWP.

You can find the eligibility list here – though we couldn’t see Universal Credit on the list of qualifying benefits.

Energy Bills Support Scheme (£67)

A discount of £67 will be automatically applied to your energy bill if you are in a household with a domestic electricity connection in England, Scotland and Wales this December.

This applies to most ways of paying energy bills – though if you pay by traditional prepayment meter, you’ll receive a voucher to redeem instead.

Households will also receive a £67 discount in January, February and March 2023, as part of a £400 total discount that began in October 2022.

Early benefit payments over Christmas (Varies)

Benefit payments should arrive as normal throughout December, until you get to around the Christmas period.

If you’re due a payment of benefits around this time, the money you receive may arrive early.

People on Universal Credit and other benefits, including Child Benefit, can expect payments due on Monday December 26 and Tuesday December 27 to arrive a couple of days before Christmas on Friday December 23.

If you’re on Universal Credit and it’s due to arrive on Wednesday December 28, you’ll get it as normal.

However, if you’re on a different benefit due on the same Wednesday, it will arrive earlier on Friday December 23.

Tax Credits (Varies)

If you get tax credit payments, you’ll either be getting them weekly or every four weeks.

In December, there are a few key dates to be aware of for payments – namely if you’re due a payment on Monday December 26, Tuesday December 27 or Wednesday December 28.  

Payments from the DWP can sometimes arrive early around Christmas/New Year time (Picture: Getty)© Provided by Metro

If you are, it should arrive early on Friday December 23 due to various Christmas bank holidays.

If a payment is due on Thursday December 29, if you live in England or Scotland it will arrive a day early on Wednesday December 28.

There’s a similar situation for the start of January, too with a few early payments. Visit the gov.uk website to check when your payment is due. 

Pensioner Cost Of Living Payment (Up To £300)

Pensioners who receive the Winter Fuel Payment may also receive an extra £150 or £300 on top this year.

As the gov.uk website explains: ‘If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2022.

‘This is in addition to any Cost of Living Payment you get with your benefit or tax credits.’

Most payments are made in either November or December automatically – so you may have already received it.

You should receive it no later than January 13. If you’re still waiting, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

Keep in mind that you should have received a letter sometime in October or November, which would have explained how much Winter Fuel Payment (plus the extra money) you’d be entitled to. 

Early benefit payments over New Year (Varies)

As with Christmas, some benefit payments due in early 2023 will actually be paid in December.  

Pensioners should receive an Cost Of Living Payment along with the annual Winter Fuel Payment (Picture: Getty)© Provided by Metro

If you’re on Universal Credit or another benefit that is due to be paid on Monday January 2, it is supposed to arrive instead on Friday December 30.

This also includes people who receive Child Benefit.

Most people on benefits due on Tuesday, January 3 will get their payment on the day they’re supposed to – except people in Scotland who claim a benefit other than Universal Credit. For them, it will arrive a few days early on Friday December 30.