October promises to bring significant changes to your finances, with key dates you should mark in your calendar. Energy bills are set to increase in the beginning of the month, but an opportunity to receive £150 off your electricity expenses will reopen, providing relief to those facing financial challenges.

For those needing to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment, the phone line will also reopen, though most individuals will receive it automatically. Self-employed individuals should take note of the approaching deadline for the self-assessment tax register.

Furthermore, there is a deadline for submitting your self-assessment tax return by post. The Ofgem energy price cap is scheduled to rise from £1,720 to £1,755 per year on October 1, affecting typical dual fuel households paying through direct debit.

If you are new to filing self-assessment tax returns, the deadline to register with HMRC is October 5 for the tax year 2024/25. Additionally, individuals with side hustles can earn up to £1,000 each tax year before needing to declare it to HMRC.

The Winter Fuel Payments, worth up to £300, will be automatically provided to eligible recipients, with applications opening on October 13 for those who need to apply. The Tesco Christmas Saver scheme deadline for contributions is October 16, offering bonuses on Clubcard points saved throughout the year.

Inflation data from the Office for National Statistics will be released on October 2, reflecting price changes over time. The deadline for filing a self-assessment tax return by post is October 31, with penalties for late submission.

If entitled to the Warm Home Discount, which provides £150 off electricity bills, recipients should expect a letter in the post from October 20. This discount benefits households where someone was claiming a qualifying benefit by August 24, such as the guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit or Universal Credit.

These financial updates are crucial to keep in mind as October unfolds, impacting various aspects of personal finances.