Automatic DWP £300 payment entering bank accounts - check if you are eligible

Richard Guttridge
·2-min read
A general view of a high street
-Credit: (Image: Rob Browne)


A special DWP payment has started entering bank accounts to provide a boost over winter. The Winter Fuel Payment is worth up to £300 and is paid out to some low-income pensioners.

It's paid out between mid-November and Christmas, meaning money is now starting to enter bank accounts. The money will be given to older people on Pension Credit and certain other benefits.

It will not go to all pensioners this year as it has previously following a major and controversial change to eligibility rules this year. Payments will be worth either £200 or £300 depending how old pensioners are. Those over 80 get the higher amount.

READ MORE: People told to do these five things by tomorrow as 13 cities face snow power cut warning

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The Government says: "If you were born before September 23, 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits.

READ MORE: DWP sending letters to state pensioners about automatic £150 payment

"You must also live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and get one of the following:

  • Pension Credit

  • Universal Credit

  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

  • Income Support

  • Child Tax Credit

  • Working Tax Credit

"You’ll also need to have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024." Those who are eligible are being encouraged to keep track of their bank account over the coming weeks so they know when the cash has arrived.

Winter Fuel Payments have proved hugely controversial this year because around 10 million pensioners will no longer get them. While many of those should be comfortable enough to cope without the payment, it's thought around two million will be left struggling as a result.

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