Six payments from the Department for Work and Pensions, totalling almost £900, will be sent out to eligible homes in the next few weeks.

The direct payments will be made before the end of 2022, providing a much-needed boost to households struggling with the cost-of-living crisis in the build up to Christmas.

If you are eligible for all six payments, you could receive £876 before January.

These are the DWP payments set to be made before the end of the year.

Universal Credit Christmas bonus

Universal Credit claimants would have seen their £10 Christmas bonuses hit their bank accounts over the last week.

In total, people in receipt of 21 benefits will qualify for the bonuses, included those on Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and State Pension.

£300 cost of living payment for pensioners

A one-off payment of £300 is being added to the annual Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners.

It is set to arrive before January 13, 2023.

Cold weather payments

The recent cold snap has triggered the start of cold weather payments for postcodes across the UK.

The bank top-up of £25 will be in eligible people’s bank account within 14 days of the trigger, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said.

People claiming pension credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, universal credit and support for mortgage interest could be eligible for the cold weather payments, DWP guidance says.

Missing cost of living payments

The second cost of living payment of £324 has still not been paid to some eligible households.

If you were eligible for the payment but have not received it you can report the missing payment online at Gov.Uk.

Guidance says: “You'll need your National Insurance number. If you've lost your National Insurance number, check how to find a lost National Insurance number.

“Before reporting a missing payment, check your bank, building society or credit union account, or your Payment Exception Service voucher receipt. The payment will be made separately from your benefit.

“Do not report the same missing payment more than once. We will reply to you as soon as we can.”

£400 energy bill discount

The Government’s Energy Bills Support scheme is continuing this month, with payments in December set to rise to £67 from £66.

The payments will remain at the same amount for the next few months.

£150 Warm Home Discount

Some UK households are eligible for £150 off their energy bills this winter through the Warm Home Discount scheme.

The money is not paid directly to you, but instead goes to your supplier who passes the discount on to you in your bill.