HOUSEHOLDS should be aware of these five Christmas cash freebies you can get in time for the big day worth a whopping £2,610.
With the festive season fast approaching, many will be worried about sourcing cash to cover the cost of rising energy bills and other outgoings.
We share how you can get free cash before Christmas[/caption]
But there are a number of freebies you can access from the local council or by simply switching bank account.
Take a look below to see if you can apply.
Universal Credit Christmas Bonus – £10
If you claim universal credit or other benefits you could be in line for a £10 bonus.
The free cash will be sent to households during the first full week of December.
This year, December 1 lands on a Monday so you should get the payment within the first seven days of the month.
The bonus is only £10 – but it’s still worth knowing about as it could cover a few items.
Anyone who is eligible to claim the bonus does not need to apply and will be paid automatically.
If you are not sure if you have received the payment before, check on your bank statements for a code which says “DWP XB”.
Winter Fuel Payment – £300
If you are of state pension age you could also be entitled to a £300 cash boost to put towards your energy bill.
Payments are set to land in accounts from November, but many will also receive the money in December.
Anyone who was born before September 22 1959 and live in England or Wales can receive the payment.
But if you earn over £35,000, HMRC will make you pay the cash back in tax.
For more information on how to claim, you can visit www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim.
British Gas Energy Support Fund – £2,000
Customers facing fuel poverty can apply for a £2,000 grant.
The help forms part of its £140million support package for struggling households.
The fund is available to existing British Gas customers who are experiencing energy debt or at risk of fuel poverty.
Customer will need to have an energy debt between £50-£2,000 on a pre-payment meter or £250-£2,000 on a credit account, to be eligible.
For more information you can visit, britishgas.co.uk/energy/help-with-bills/british-gas-energy-trust.html.
Household Support Fund – £300
Struggling households can get free cash to help pay for groceries or towards their energy bills.
Hard-up households can get support via the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF).
The scheme has been extended multiple times with the latest round running between April 2025 and March 2026.
Each council in England has been allocated a share of the £742million fund and can distribute it to residents in need.
Eligibility criteria varies based on where you live but usually help is offered to those on benefits or a low income.
The amount you receive depends on where you live.
For example, households in Doncaster can apply for support worth £300.
While, families in Nottingham can apply for £98 energy vouchers and £75 supermarket vouchers.
And households in Leeds can get up to £120 from October 13.
Bank boost – £900
You could get £900 free cash by switching bank accounts and Isa savings ahead of Christmas.
Barclays is running the lucrative offer, but there are a number of steps to take to get your hands on the money.
The high street banking giant is offering an initial £200 to customers who open a current account.
Meanwhile those who switch to its premier current account will receive a larger £400 cash reward.
There’s then an extra £500 up for grabs for switchers who transfer an existing cash ISA to Barclays.
The offer applies to switches made between October 7 and November 27.
They must also complete a “full switch” in the app, including at least two active direct debits.
They must pay at least £2,000 into their new Barclays current account or £4,000 into a new premier current account within 30 days of opening to get the cash bonus.
The switch must be completed through the Current Account Switch Service (Cass).
Money-Saving Tips from Gemma Bird: Save £2k Before Christmas
IF youre’ looking to save cash, you’ve come to the right place, as here, Gemma Bird has shared her top tips that’ll save you £2k before Christmas.
- Set a budget: Track your spending and create a realistic budget.
- Cut unnecessary costs: Cancel unused subscriptions and avoid impulse buys.
- Meal planning: Plan meals to reduce grocery bills and avoid takeaways.
- Sell unwanted items: Declutter and sell items online for extra cash.
- Cashback and discounts: Use cashback sites and hunt for discount codes.
- DIY gifts: Make personalised gifts to save money and add a personal touch.
- Pick up a seasonal shift: A really easy way to pick up a bit of extra cash in the winter is to find yourself some seasonal work.
Follow these practical tips from Gemma Bird to boost your savings before the festive season!
