Northern Ireland one-off benefits payments being given out before end of the year

As we approach December, many of us are budgeting for presents and gearing up for a busy period over the Christmas season.

Due to the continuing cost of living crisis, many of may be cutting back, and for those who are vulnerable or on a low income, saving money where possible is a must.

In Northern Ireland, there are a number of one-off payments due to be dished out before the end of the year. People who are eligible will see a boost in their bank accounts over the next few weeks, which is much-needed at this time of year.

Read more: The date all Winter Fuel Payments should be paid by in NI

Read more: NI Cold Weather Payment eligibility explained as snow warning issued

We have put together a guide to the one-off benefits that could be paid out in Northern Ireland before the end of 2024.

Cold Weather Payments

Payments due: When the weather in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below for seven consecutive days.

The Cold Weather Payment scheme means if you're getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest, you'll get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.

You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days. The Cold Weather Payment checker will help you see if you are entitled to a payment in your area.

Eligible benefits:

Christmas Bonus

Payments due: Typically paid automatically in early December.

The bonus is a one-off, tax-free £10 payment made to people in receipt of State Pension or those claiming certain other benefits during the qualifying week - usually the first full week of December.

Nobody needs to apply for the extra £10 as it should automatically go into the account where you usually receive your State Pension or benefit payment. It is made as a separate payment, independent of your scheduled State Pension or benefit payment, so it may arrive on a different day.

Eligible benefits:

If you haven’t claimed your State Pension and aren’t entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits you won’t get a Christmas Bonus.

Winter Fuel Payment

Payments due: Most payments are made automatically in November or December.

The Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help older people with paying heating bills during the winter months, with those eligible able to receive either £200 or £300.

Earlier this year, the UK Government announced the previously universal benefit would now be means tested, with only those born before 23 September 1958 and claiming certain benefits now eligible to receive it.

You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958. You must also live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and get one of the following:

You’ll also need to have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024. If you qualify, you will get the payment automatically and do not need to claim for it.

The communities minister has also announced he will be introducing a one-off payment of £100 for the 249,000 people here now missing out on the Winter Fuel Payment due to the changes. However, this may not be paid out until March 2025.

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