As winter approaches and household budgets tighten, millions of UK residents are eager to know whether the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will issue any additional Cost-of-Living Payments in December 2025. With rising energy costs, increased food prices, and higher winter heating bills, many rely on seasonal DWP support to get through the final months of the year.
Although no new national Cost-of-Living Payment has been officially announced for 2025, the DWP has confirmed that some households will still receive additional or backdated support in December. These payments come from existing schemes, arrears, benefit updates, or previous eligibility reviews.
This guide explains exactly who qualifies for additional Cost-of-Living support in December 2025, what types of payments may be issued, and how claimants can check whether they’re eligible.
⭐ Is There an Additional Cost-of-Living Payment in December 2025?
✔ Yes — some people will receive an additional payment.
❌ No — there is no new UK-wide Cost-of-Living Payment announced for 2025.
The DWP’s December 2025 support consists of:
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Backdated Cost-of-Living Payments from previous years
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Winter Fuel Payments (£250–£600 for pensioners)
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Cold Weather Payments (£25 per qualifying week)
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Warm Home Discount (£150 energy rebate)
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Universal Credit or Pension Credit arrears
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Disability payment adjustments
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Housing or Council support grants
These payments are not a new £300 or £900 national Cost-of-Living scheme — those ended in 2023/24.
However, thousands of households will still receive additional winter support in December 2025 depending on benefit status, income, and regional schemes.
⭐ Who Qualifies for Additional Payments in December 2025?
Here is the full eligibility breakdown for DWP’s December 2025 support.
🔹 1. People Receiving Backdated Cost-of-Living Payments
Some claimants missed original payments due to:
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Late approval of Universal Credit
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Pension Credit backdating
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Benefit disputes or appeals
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Incorrect assessments
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Delayed disability decisions
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DWP administrative errors
If you were later found eligible for past Cost-of-Living schemes, you may receive:
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£150 disability payment arrears
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£300–£900 low-income arrears
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£299 or £301 late-issued payments
These arrears typically arrive as:
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“DWP COL”
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“DWP ARREARS”
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“DWP PAYMENT”
Such payments can arrive any day in December.
🔹 2. Pensioners Receiving the Winter Fuel Payment 2025
The Winter Fuel Payment is the largest annual DWP winter support.
Amounts range between:
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£250 to £600
Eligibility:
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Born on or before 25 September 1959
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Lived in the UK during the qualifying week
Payments arrive between mid-November and 31 December 2025, meaning many pensioners will receive them in December.
🔹 3. Pension Credit Claimants (Including Backdated Claims)
Pension Credit is the most powerful gateway to additional support.
If you claim Pension Credit by March 2026 and qualify retrospectively, you may still receive:
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Backdated Cost-of-Living Payments
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Winter Fuel Payment
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Cold Weather Payments
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Warm Home Discount
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Housing Benefit adjustments
Since Pension Credit can be backdated up to 3 months, many December 2025 claimants will receive extra payments all at once.
🔹 4. Universal Credit Claimants With Late or Adjusted Awards
You may receive additional December payments if:
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Your UC was recalculated
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You recently gained LCWRA status
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Deductions were lifted or corrected
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You won a sanction appeal
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Your income dropped
Arrears can range from £100–£1,200, depending on how many months were miscalculated.
🔹 5. People Eligible for Cold Weather Payments
Cold Weather Payments of £25 per week are triggered when temperatures stay at:
❄ 0°C or lower for 7 consecutive days
Cold Weather Payments automatically go to:
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Pension Credit claimants
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UC claimants with limited capability
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UC claimants with disabled children
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ESA/JSA claimants with disability premiums
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Those receiving certain disability benefits
If December 2025 sees cold snaps, some households may receive:
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£25
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£50
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£75
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Or more
depending on how many periods are triggered.
🔹 6. Disabled People Receiving Backdated or Adjusted Awards
Disabled claimants may receive significant backdated payments if:
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PIP or DLA claims were approved late
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Daily Living or Mobility components were increased
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Appeals overturned decisions
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ESA disability premiums were added or corrected
These payments commonly appear in December due to annual processing cycles.
🔹 7. Households Receiving Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount provides a:
⭐ £150 energy bill rebate
It is applied to electricity accounts between:
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November 2025 and March 2026
Most suppliers issue the final batch of payments during December.
⭐ Important: There Is NO New National £300 or £900 Payment for 2025
Several misleading social media posts claim a new Cost-of-Living payment is coming in December 2025.
The DWP has confirmed:
❌ No new £300 or £900 payment
❌ No new disability Cost-of-Living payment
❌ No new pensioner Cost-of-Living payment
Only existing schemes, arrears, and winter benefits will be paid.
⭐ Who Will NOT Receive Additional Payments?
You will not receive an additional DWP payment if:
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You only receive Child Benefit
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You do not receive income-related or disability benefits
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You failed to qualify during the original Cost-of-Living payment windows
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You changed circumstances but did not update DWP
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You do not meet energy efficiency rules for Warm Home Discount (England/Wales)
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Your supplier is not part of WHD (Scotland/England)
⭐ How to Check If You’ll Receive a December 2025 Payment
You can verify expected payments by:
✔ Checking your Universal Credit journal
✔ Reviewing DWP letters
✔ Using Warm Home Discount eligibility tools
✔ Viewing your bank’s pending transactions
✔ Contacting Pension Service for older claimants
✔ Checking for “DWP COL” or “DWP ARREARS” codes
Most claimants are paid automatically — no need to apply.
⭐ Why So Many Extra Payments Arrive in December
The DWP prioritises end-of-year processing before January begins.
This leads to:
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More backdated payments
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Faster clearance of arrears
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Updates following benefit reviews
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Winter Fuel Payment finalisation
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Cold Weather Payments
For many households, December becomes one of the most financially supportive months.
⭐ Final Summary — DWP Additional Cost-of-Living Payments December 2025
Here’s what you need to remember:
✔ There is no new national Cost-of-Living Payment for 2025
✔ Some households will still receive additional payments, including:
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Backdated Cost-of-Living arrears
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Winter Fuel Payments (£250–£600)
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Cold Weather Payments (£25/week)
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Warm Home Discount (£150)
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Universal Credit and Pension Credit arrears
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Disability entitlement updates
✔ Payments due on Christmas or Boxing Day will arrive early
✔ Pensioners and disabled claimants are most likely to receive extra support
✔ December remains a high-volume processing month for DWP
If you’re on a low income, disabled, or a pensioner, you may qualify for extra support even if there is no new national scheme.
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DWP December 2025: Additional Cost-of-Living Payment Guide
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DWP December 2025 additional Cost-of-Living payments explained. See who qualifies for arrears, Winter Fuel, Cold Weather Payments, UC and disability top-ups.
FAQs — DWP Additional Cost-of-Living Payment December 2025
1. Is the DWP giving a new Cost-of-Living Payment in December 2025?
No. There is no new national payment for 2025, but many households will receive arrears or winter benefits.
2. Who qualifies for extra payments this December?
Pensioners, disabled claimants, UC recipients with arrears, and households eligible for winter schemes.
3. Will I get a £300 or £900 payment?
No. These payments were part of the 2023/24 support package and have not been renewed.
4. Can I receive multiple winter payments in December?
Yes. Many households receive Winter Fuel Payment + WHD + Cold Weather Payments + arrears.
5. Will payments be early due to Christmas?
Yes. Payments due 25–28 December will be paid on 23 December 2025.
