DWP to pay thousands of Brits £450 this winter - check if you're eligible

Thousands of UK households are in line to receive an additional £450 to assist with winter expenses. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been sending out letters to eligible residents, informing them about the financial aid they can expect.

As reported by BirminghamLive, these extra funds, intended to cover costs over the winter of 2024/25, could mean a bonus £450 for some homes. This sum includes the Winter Fuel Payment and the Warm Home Discount.

Letters detailing the Winter Fuel Payment amount started being dispatched in mid-October. If you're eligible, you should receive a letter in October or November outlining your payment.

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The DWP states that most payments are automatically made in November or December. However, if you don't receive a letter but believe you're eligible, verify if you need to make a claim before contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

You won't need to claim if you receive any of the following:

• Pension Credit

• Universal Credit

• Income Support

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

This year's Winter Fuel Payment will be £200 for those born between September 23, 1944, and September 22, 1958, and a higher amount of £300 for those over 80, who were born before September 23, 1944.

In a departure from previous years, the Winter Fuel Payment will now only be given to pensioners who are receiving any of the above-mentioned benefits. Previously, all pensioners were eligible.

Households that qualify for the Warm Home Discount, which is a £150 rebate applied directly to your electricity account, are also being contacted. If you're eligible for the scheme or need to provide more information to determine your eligibility, you should receive a letter between October and early January 2025.

Unlike the Winter Fuel Payment, this is not a cash payment paid to you - your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depending on where you live.

If you live in England and Wales you qualify if you either:

• Get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit

• Are on a low income and have high energy costs

If you live in Scotland you qualify if you either:

• Get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit

• Are on a low income in Scotland and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme

The Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland.

If you're confirmed as eligible, your letter will state that no further action is required from you. The discount will be automatically applied to your electricity bill by March 31, 2025.

However, if the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero needs more details about your property or supplier, your letter will instruct you to call the helpline on 0800 030 9322.