DWP Confirms £325 Universal Credit Boost for December 2025 — DWP Reveals Eligibility & Dates

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has officially confirmed that a £325 Universal Credit payment will be made in December 2025 to eligible claimants across the UK.** The announcement offers much-needed relief for millions of low-income households struggling with rising costs during the peak winter season.

As energy bills remain high and Christmas expenses stretch household budgets, this one-off payment is part of the government’s cost-of-living support strategy. However, eligibility rules are strict, and not all claimants will receive the money. Understanding the payment dates, qualifying conditions, and how this bonus fits with other benefits is essential.

What Is the £325 Universal Credit Payment?

The £325 payment is a one-off, tax-free cost of living support payment provided by the UK government and distributed by the DWP. It is not a replacement for your regular Universal Credit, but an extra financial boost meant to help households during the expensive winter period.

It is designed to cover urgent needs, such as:

Heating and energy costs
Food and groceries
Winter transport
Seasonal household bills
Holiday-related expenses

This payment will not affect your benefit cap, does not count as income, and does not need to be repaid.

Why the Payment Is Being Issued in December 2025

The government has timed the £325 payment for December to ease financial pressure during:

Cold weather months when energy usage peaks
Holiday season when spending increases
Ongoing effects of inflation and rising household costs
Continued energy price instability

DWP data highlights that December is one of the most financially difficult months for low-income families — and this payment is targeted to bridge that gap.

Who Is Eligible for the £325 Payment?

To qualify for the £325 payment, you must be receiving at least one eligible benefit during a specified assessment period.

You may be eligible if you receive:

Universal Credit
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
Pension Credit
Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit (in limited legacy cases)

For Universal Credit, additional rules apply:

You must have an active claim
You must have received at least £0.01 during the qualifying period
You must not be under a sanction that reduced your payment to £0

If you’re still on the system but earned too much during the qualifying period to receive any payment, you won’t qualify.

What Are the Qualifying Dates?

To receive the payment, you must meet the benefit conditions during the qualifying period, which is expected to be:

Mid-October to Mid-November 2025 (exact dates to be confirmed by DWP)

Only those receiving an eligible benefit during this window will qualify. If your claim started after this period, you will not receive the £325 — even if you’re on Universal Credit in December.

When Will the £325 Payment Be Made?

According to DWP, the £325 payment will be deposited automatically between:

10 December and 20 December 2025

Your exact payment date will depend on:

Your benefit type
Your National Insurance number
DWP processing schedules
Banking timelines

The payment will show up on your statement with a label such as:

“DWP COL” or “Cost of Living Payment”

It will appear separately from your usual Universal Credit payment.

Do You Need to Apply for the £325?

No application is needed.

If you’re eligible, the DWP will send the payment automatically to the same bank account where your benefits are usually paid.

You do not need to:

Apply online
Submit forms
Update your journal (unless your details changed)
Call DWP

However, you must ensure your bank details are correct in your UC account before December.

What If Your Payment Doesn’t Arrive?

If you believe you’re eligible but don’t receive the payment, you should:

Wait until after 20 December 2025
Check your bank statement for “DWP COL”
Log into your Universal Credit journal
Message DWP through the journal
Contact the Cost of Living Helpline (when opened)

DWP often offers a short window for late payments or corrections.

Will This Affect Other Benefits?

No. The £325 is considered non-taxable and non-means-tested.

It will not impact:

Universal Credit
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Reduction
Benefit cap
Tax assessments

It’s completely separate and safe from affecting your regular entitlements.

Can You Get the £325 If You Work?

Yes — if you’re still eligible for Universal Credit during the qualifying period.

This includes people who are:

Working part-time
On zero-hour contracts
Self-employed with low income
On sick pay or maternity leave

However, if your earnings cause your UC payment to drop to £0, you will not qualify that month.

What About Couples or Joint UC Claims?

Only one £325 payment will be made per household. That means:

Couples receive £325 total, not per person
The money goes to the main claimant’s account
Both partners must be part of the same claim

If you and your partner are on separate claims, each may qualify individually.

What About Pension Credit Claimants?

If you receive Pension Credit during the qualifying period, you’re eligible for the £325 payment.

This includes:

Guarantee Credit
Savings Credit (if part of Pension Credit award)

If you’re State Pension age but not claiming Pension Credit, you will not qualify.

Tip: Many older people miss out on extra help by not applying for Pension Credit. This is a good reason to check your eligibility.

Tax Credit and Legacy Benefit Claimants

If you’re still receiving Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, you might be eligible — but:

New claims are not accepted
Eligibility is limited
You must have received tax credits during the qualifying period
If you’ve moved to Universal Credit, your old claim must still have been active in the window

Only income-based benefits qualify — not contribution-based or New Style JSA/ESA alone.

Why Some Claimants Won’t Receive It

You may be excluded from receiving the £325 if:

Your Universal Credit dropped to £0 due to high income
You’re on contributory-only benefits
Your claim started too late
You were sanctioned during the qualifying period
You only receive PIP or DLA (which are not income-related)

The scheme is strictly for low-income, means-tested benefit claimants.

How This Payment Helps With Winter Costs

The £325 is expected to ease pressure from:

Gas and electricity bills
Christmas food and gifts
Travel expenses
Rent or debt payments

While it won’t resolve long-term hardship, it offers temporary support during the coldest and most expensive season.

What the DWP Has Said About the Future

The DWP says the £325 is part of the current cost of living package, but future payments are not guaranteed.

Any additional support will depend on:

Inflation
Government budget
Energy markets
Public finances

Claimants are advised to budget cautiously and not rely on further one-off payments.

Stay Safe from Scams

Scammers often take advantage of cost of living payments.

The DWP will never:

Ask for your bank details by text or email
Request login information
Ask for a fee to receive payment
Contact you via third-party websites

If you receive such messages, report them to Action Fraud.

How to Make Sure You Don’t Miss Out

To protect your eligibility:

Keep your UC claim active
Ensure your bank details are current
Check your journal messages regularly
Report any changes promptly
Avoid a nil award during the qualifying period

Even minor delays or reporting errors could cause you to miss the payment.

What This Means for Millions of UK Households

The £325 Universal Credit payment is a lifeline for vulnerable households in December 2025. It provides breathing space during a time of year when heating costs, holiday spending, and other living expenses rise sharply.

But because not every claimant qualifies automatically, it’s crucial to understand the eligibility criteria and take proactive steps now to ensure you don’t miss out.

What Is the £325 Universal Credit Payment?