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Fact Check: Is The £325 Universal Credit Payment Confirmed For December 2025? The Truth About DWP Dates And Cost Of Living Support

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The specific mention of a £325 Universal Credit payment for December 2025 has generated significant discussion among claimants, largely due to the historic Cost of Living Payments (CoLP) that provided a similar sum in previous years. As of today, December 22, 2025, it is crucial to clarify the official position: the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the previous series of Cost of Living Payments has concluded, meaning there is no planned one-off £325 payment scheduled for December 2025.

However, the month of December 2025 is still highly significant for Universal Credit claimants and other benefit recipients. The DWP has announced a confirmed change to the regular payment schedule to account for the Christmas and New Year bank holidays. Many claimants will receive their regular monthly Universal Credit payment earlier than usual, a vital detail for budgeting during the festive period.

The Truth About the £325 Universal Credit Payment and Cost of Living Payments

The figure of £325 (or sometimes £324) is a direct echo of the means-tested Cost of Living Payment that was successfully rolled out by the UK government over the 2022 to 2024 period. These payments were a crucial intervention designed to help households manage the extreme pressures of the Cost of Living Crisis, driven by high inflation and rising energy costs.

The scheme was structured into several instalments, with the amounts often being £326/£324, which is why the £325 figure continues to circulate in online discussions and searches.

Official DWP Stance on Future Payments

The key takeaway for all Universal Credit claimants is the official statement from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The DWP has explicitly confirmed that there are no further Cost of Living Payments planned for 2025, including December 2025. The final payments in the previous scheme were processed earlier in the year.

While the government continues to monitor economic conditions and the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis, the primary focus has shifted from one-off lump sums to the annual uprating of the standard benefit rates and targeted support via local authority schemes. This transition marks the end of the previous, high-profile CoLP scheme.

Confirmed DWP Payment Dates for Christmas and New Year 2025/2026

Although the £325 one-off payment is not happening, the most important financial update for December 2025 is the confirmed change to the regular payment schedule. Due to the bank holidays over the Christmas and New Year period, the DWP must adjust its processing dates, leading to early payments for millions of beneficiaries.

The general rule of thumb is that if your payment date falls on a bank holiday, you will receive your money on the last working day before the bank holiday. This is a standard procedure to ensure claimants are not left without funds over the holiday closure.

The DWP has confirmed that some payments will be made earlier if they are due between Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and Thursday, January 2, 2026.

Universal Credit Early Payment Schedule (December 2025)

Universal Credit is paid monthly based on your assessment period. Claimants whose regular payment date falls on one of the bank holidays listed below should receive their funds on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025.

  • If your payment is due on: Thursday, December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day)
  • You will be paid on: Wednesday, December 24, 2025
  • If your payment is due on: Friday, December 26, 2025 (Boxing Day)
  • You will be paid on: Wednesday, December 24, 2025
  • If your payment is due on: Thursday, January 1, 2026 (New Year's Day)
  • You will be paid on: Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Claimants should note that receiving a payment early means the gap until the next payment will be longer than usual. This requires careful budgeting to ensure funds last through the longer period until the next scheduled payment in January 2026.

Beyond the One-Off: Universal Credit Uprating and Financial Support for 2025/2026

While the one-off £325 payment is not materialising, the long-term financial picture for Universal Credit recipients is shaped by the annual uprating. This is where the DWP adjusts the standard allowance and other benefit elements to keep pace with inflation.

The Universal Credit Uprating for 2025/2026

The annual uprating typically takes effect from April each year. For the 2025/2026 financial year, the Universal Credit Standard Allowance is set to increase. This increase is applied automatically and is designed to provide sustained, rather than one-off, support against rising living costs. For a single person aged 25 or over, this increase has been projected to be significant, adding a substantial amount to the annual benefit total.

This uprating is a critical mechanism for maintaining the real-terms value of the benefit, providing a more predictable financial boost than the previous, temporary Cost of Living Payment scheme.

Alternative Financial Support Schemes

For those struggling with immediate financial pressures in December 2025, there are other avenues for targeted support that are still active and often overseen by local authorities:

  • The Household Support Fund (HSF): This fund is distributed by local councils across England to help vulnerable households with essentials like food, energy bills, and other costs. This is an important source of emergency funding that claimants should investigate, as the eligibility and payment amounts vary by council area.
  • Winter Fuel Payment: For pensioners, this payment is a crucial annual benefit to help with heating costs during the coldest months. This is typically paid automatically to eligible individuals.
  • Budgeting Advances: Universal Credit claimants may be eligible for a Budgeting Advance to help with emergency household costs. This is a loan from the DWP that is repaid through deductions from future UC payments.

Claimants are strongly advised to check the official GOV.UK website or contact the Department for Work and Pensions directly regarding their specific payment dates and eligibility for any ongoing support schemes, rather than relying on unverified online rumours about a £325 payment in December 2025.

325 universal credit payment december 2025
325 universal credit payment december 2025

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