DWP increasing Winter Fuel Payment by £100 for certain state pensioners
The Department for Work and Pensions is increasing the Winter Fuel Payment for some eligible pensioners. Amid swirling controversy around the Winter Fuel Allowance, which has seen the £300 benefit axed for most pensioners expect the poorest who are in receipt of Pension Credit, it has emerged people can claim DIFFERENT amounts.
You can qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this year if you were born before September 23, 1958 and live in Scotland, England, or Wales while receiving one of the specified benefits. The qualifying benefits are Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support and Working Tax or Child Tax Credits.
If you live alone, you'll receive either £200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958 or £300 if you were born before September 23, 1944. If you live with someone and jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will receive a payment of either £200 if both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958 or £300 if one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944.
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It means some state pensioners look set to receive £100 more. If you live in a care home and are eligible, you'll receive either £100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958 or £150 if you were born before September 23, 1944.
You can claim your Winter Fuel Payment by post - from September 30, 2024 - and phone - from October 28, 2024. If you're on Universal Credit, you'll be informed how to claim through a message in your journal.
The deadline for winter 2024 to 2025 claims is set for March 31, 2025. Comprehensive information about eligibility and payments can be found on the Winter Fuel Payment section of the GOV.UK website.