DWP Extra Financial Boost 2025: Many people receiving benefits from the UK government may not realise they’re due a refund. If you’re claiming benefits, there’s one simple way to check if the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has sent you money back — just look at your bank statement.
If you spot the code ‘DWP RFD’ next to a payment, it could mean you’ve received a refund from the DWP — and that refund might be linked to underpaid benefits or hardship payments. Let’s understand what this code means, who can get money back, and what steps you should take if you think you’re owed a refund.
What Does ‘DWP RFD’ Mean?
If you see DWP RFD on your bank statement, it stands for Department for Work and Pensions Refund. It means the DWP has refunded you money for some reason. This code is usually followed by the refunded amount.
There are a few common reasons why someone might receive a DWP refund:
- You were underpaid through your benefit payments
- You repaid a hardship payment but might now be entitled to some or all of it back
What Is a Hardship Payment?
A hardship payment is a reduced amount of Universal Credit that’s given to people who have been sanctioned and are struggling to afford basic needs like food, rent, energy, or hygiene items. Usually, this payment is considered a loan, and must be repaid later.
But if you received a hardship payment between 1 January 2014 and 11 January 2021, you might be eligible for a refund — especially if:
- You requested a review and were rejected or never considered
- You can prove that repaying the hardship payment affected your health or your family’s wellbeing
How to Claim a Refund on a Hardship Payment
If you believe you’re owed a refund, you’ll need to fill out an application form and send supporting evidence. This may include:
- Bank statements from that time
- Doctor’s notes showing health issues
- Proof of income and expenses during the period when you got the hardship payment
The deadline to submit your application is 4 May 2025. Once you submit it, the DWP will send you an acknowledgement within 6 weeks, and a final decision can take up to 13 weeks.
Who Can Get a Hardship Payment?
You can apply for a hardship payment if:
- You’re 18 or older and your Universal Credit was reduced because of a sanction
- You’re 16 or older and your payment was reduced due to fraud
- You’re struggling to afford essentials like food, rent, energy bills, and toiletries
To qualify, you must:
- Show that you’ve tried other ways to get financial support (like borrowing from friends or cutting costs)
- Have followed your work-related requirements in the past 7 days
Universal Credit Standard Allowance Amounts (Monthly)
- Single, under 25: £311.68
- Single, 25 and over: £393.45
- Couple, both under 25: £489.23
- Couple, one or both over 25: £617.60
A hardship payment usually covers 60% of your previous month’s sanctioned amount.
If you’ve received a benefit payment in the past and had financial difficulties, you may be owed a refund — especially if you had a hardship payment between 2014 and 2021. Keep an eye on your bank statements for the code ‘DWP RFD’, and if you think you’re eligible, don’t wait. Submit your application before 4 May 2025 to claim what’s rightfully yours.
FAQ’s
What does DWP RFD mean on my bank statement?
DWP RFD stands for Department for Work and Pensions Refund. If you see this code, it means you’ve received a refund from the DWP.
Who can get a refund from the DWP?
People who were underpaid or repaid hardship payments between 1 January 2014 and 11 January 2021 may be eligible for a refund.
What is a hardship payment?
A hardship payment is a reduced Universal Credit payment given to people who were sanctioned and couldn’t afford basic needs. It is usually considered a loan.
How can I apply for a DWP refund?
Submit an application form with proof like bank statements, doctor’s notes, and income details. The deadline is 4 May 2025.
How long does it take to hear back from the DWP?
You’ll get an acknowledgement within 6 weeks, and a final decision may take up to 13 weeks after that.
All Governments since the late 1940/50’s have known because of the Baby Boom that they would have to find much more for Pensions and Benefits in the early 2000’s because the Baby Boomers would be retiring but none of them have made provision for this.
Compound this with job losses caused by technology thereby reducing money for the Chancellor, failure to address these facts over the past 70 years have landed us in it. It will only get worse as technology does away with more jobs.
If you take time to think, ordering goods on line does away with thousands of jobs yet we all do it. Self Service check outs each till reduces the work force by 6 jobs. When was the last time you used a cash machine, they do away with Bank jobs. When was the last time you saw a Conductor on a bus or Guard on a train? The list is endless…