Managing your money and benefits over the winter holidays

Winter and the Christmas period can be a challenging time after a cancer diagnosis, especially if you are being impacted financially.

With many services closed over the holidays, you may be wondering who to contact if you have concerns about your finances.

We are here to help you find out about winter payments and changes to payment dates, as well as what to do in a financial crisis, and how to access help with those extra seasonal costs, gifts and treats.

Winter and Christmas benefits

Depending on your age, income and any benefits you are receiving, you may be entitled to additional payments in the winter. These are designed to help keep you warm and comfortable over the colder months and Christmas.

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born on or before the 21 September 1959, regardless of your health, you are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.

This is a one-off payment of between £100 and £300, sent automatically to those eligible in November or December. If you think you should have received the Winter Fuel Payment, you can check how to claim it.

If your annual income is over £35,000, your Winter Fuel Payment will actually be taken back again, either through your Self Assessment tax return for that year, or through a change in your tax code.

Cold Weather Payment

If the average temperature in your area is (or is forecast to be) at or below zero degrees Celsius for a whole week, and you're receiving one of these benefits, you will automatically receive a Cold Weather Payment of £25 for that week.

Cold Weather Payments are not available in Scotland. However, you might be eligible for the Scottish annual Winter Heating Payment instead. If so, you will receive it automatically in December.

The Christmas Bonus

Some benefits come with a Christmas Bonus. This is a one-off, tax-free payment of £10.

You don't need to do anything to claim it; if you are eligible, it will be paid automatically to you in early December.

You can find the list of benefits that offer The Christmas Bonus and eligibility criteria here.

How Christmas and New Year can affect benefit and income payments

Generally, when bank holidays or seasonal disruptions would affect the payment date of benefits or income, you will be paid earlier than the normal date.

For example, many employers pay December wages earlier than usual – partly as payroll staff may be away by the usual payment date; partly to help out employees with their Christmas shopping!

While this may feel like a blessing, it can cause challenges with budgeting, and can even affect Universal Credit payments.

Budgeting over the Christmas period

If finances are tight, the holiday period can be especially hard. For example, you might:

• have additional expenses for holiday celebrations, including the cost of food, presents and travel
• be more likely to spend money on activities if you aren't working
• have higher energy bills as a result of powering the heating, festive lights, and even cooking a turkey!

What's more, you might find you have a bigger gap between paydays than usual, since your December income may be paid early and January is a 31-day month.

As a result, your December pay packet may have to last you up to 6 weeks, so it can be easy to get caught out.

Tips for budgeting over the holidays

• Write down what December income you will receive and when
• Count how many weeks it needs to last you, based on when you will next receive payment(s) in January
• Calculate any fixed payments you have during that time period, such as your rent or mortgage, council tax, utility bills, phone/WiFi, etc.
• Prioritise essential expenses including food and travel to appointments. You could split the money you have into separate envelopes for each week to help you keep on top of your spending
• Make a meal plan and shopping list for the Christmas week, and only buy what you need. If you are cooking for other people, ask if they are able to contribute to the cost of the meal.
• Remember that people who care about you would rather know that you are financially safe than receive a gift that you can't afford.

You can try using Money Helper's budget planner to help you calculate your income, your spending, and what you have left.

Universal Credit

If you or your partner are in work and you receive Universal Credit, an earlier December payday could affect your UC payment.

You might receive two lots of monthly salary in the same UC monthly assessment period, with the result that your UC payment goes right down, or even stops altogether, in the run up to Christmas.

Your UC should automatically adjust for your next UC payment and you will not need to make a new claim.

However, if this will cause financial hardship in the meantime, speak to a benefit advisor at Maggie's to see if anything can be done.

If you need urgent financial support over the Christmas period

If you are experiencing a time of real hardship, you may find yourself needing urgent financial support. This can feel extremely stressful, especially when some services have reduced operating hours at this time of year.

The important thing to remember is: you are not alone. We are here to help you access that additional support with the information below. 

Benefit agencies contacts and operating hours

Generally, benefit agencies are closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, but there are days of normal service in between the bank holidays when you can contact them.

• Jobcentre Plus Christmas and New Year opening times (who support with 'working-age' benefits) 
• Pension Service helpline opening times (for pension-age benefits such as State Retirement Pension and Pension Credit)
• Disability and Carers Service helplines and opening times (for PIP, DLA and AA)
• HMRC benefits – contact details for tax credit enquiries and child benefit enquiries.
• For Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support, check on your local council website. 

And if ever things are starting to feel too much, our friends at Samaritans are just a phone call away, 24/7, every day of the year including bank holidays.

Advance on first benefits payment

If you have only just made a benefits claim and you can’t manage until the first payday, you might be able to get an advance on your first benefits payment. Ring the office dealing with your claim and ask for a short-term benefit advance.

Advance payments can also be taken out if your UC payments are set to increase but you are struggling in the meantime, for example, if you have a new child on the way, a child is awarded DLA, or if you will get the additional 'limited capability' or 'carer’s' element next month.

Paying back the advance

Just remember that advance payments are not additional payments; if you get an advance, you'll usually receive a bit less in your following benefits payments until it's paid back.

Hardship payments after a benefits sanction

Some benefits, including Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Universal Credit, can be stopped or reduced if you don't carry out your required responsibilities set out in your agreement.

Hardship payments are a reduced amount of benefit that you can apply for after a benefit sanction if you're unable to pay for essentials, and you can prove that you're likely to suffer hardship or that you're vulnerable. You must be fulfilling your benefit requirements again to receive it.

Paying back a hardship payment

You don't currently need to pay back the hardship payment if you are getting ESA or Jobseeker’s Allowance.

If you are getting UC, the hardship payment is a loan, and you'll need to pay it back once the sanction ends. You'll usually receive a bit less in your following benefits payments until it's paid back.

Other types of support

Foodbanks

The Trussell Trust provides emergency food parcels with 3 days' of supplies for a family. If you are struggling financially, particularly over Christmas, knowing that you can get supplies to last you the next few days can be a great relief.

You will need to be referred to get a food voucher, which you can then exchange at a foodbank for a food parcel. You can get a referral from organisations including social services, Citizens Advice, your GP, the Jobcentre.

Find your nearest foodbank here and how to get a voucher.

Many other community groups run foodbanks and soup kitchens. Speak to Citizens Advice to find out what's available in your local community.

Christmas charities

Lots of local charities, churches and community groups will be making an extra effort to reach out at Christmas, from famous national ones such as Crisis and the Salvation Army, right down to small local ones.

Offers might involve: gatherings, meals, companionship and practical support, such as advice and referrals to food banks.

Help with Christmas treats and experiences

At a time when finances are tight, you might not be thinking about little luxuries and treats for yourself. But particularly at Christmas, a treat might lift your spirits and give you a welcome boost.

We have listed some organisations offering gifts and treats to people with cancer here, with a couple more below.

• If sailing sounds fun, the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust offers sailing days for 8 to 24 year olds after cancer
• Paul's Place offers respite breaks for young adults and their families in North Devon

Last review: Dec 2025 | Next review: Dec 2028