DWP warning to act before Monday over £300 Winter Fuel Payments

Pensioner checking a letter from the DWP
-Credit: (Image: GETTY)


An imminent deadline warning has been issued over Winter Fuel Payments. The eligibility rules for Winter Fuel Payments were tightened as one of the first moves by Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

While millions will miss out on a potential £300 seasonal benefit because they don’t claim Pension Credit, some lesser-known eligibility requirements are also in place until Sunday. September 22 is the end of the qualifying week for the 2024 Winter Fuel Payment, which started on September 16.

This week marks a cut-off around some eligibility requirements for the benefit. The DWP advised that to be eligible for Winter Fuel Payments this year, applicants must have reached state pension age, which is currently 66, before or during the qualifying week to be eligible for Winter Fuel Payment.

Additionally, Brits must be entitled to Pension Credit or one of the other qualifying benefits during this week. It’s important to highlight the ‘entitled to’ aspect as Brits who haven’t made their claim or been approved for these benefits by September 22 can still be eligible for Winter Fuel Payments.

They must simply meet all the requirements for the qualifying benefits during the qualifying week. To be eligible for Pension Credit you must be over the state pension age and living in England, Scotland or Wales and have a weekly income below the thresholds.

More information on Pension Credit eligibility criteria can be found on the Gov.uk website. Additionally, your circumstances during this qualifying week will determine how much you receive as Winter Fuel Payments have two rates depending on when you’re born and if you live alone or as part of a couple at either £200 or £300.

If you are in prison for the entire qualifying week you will not be entitled to Winter Fuel Payments. Applicants have until December 21 to apply for Pension Credit and still be able to claim Winter Fuel Payment.

This is because Pension Credit claims can be backdated by up to 3 months and Winter Fuel Payments are usually dished out in November. People who successfully claim Pension Credit before this payment window opens should receive their Winter Fuel Payments as usual. Those who apply for Pension Credit during or after November can expect their payment within 2 weeks of their Pension credit claim being awarded.

Winter Fuel Payments are also one of the few benefits still available to Brits living outside the UK. The DWP notes that these payments will still be made as usual to pensioners in the European Economic Area if they meet the eligibility for benefits similar to Pension Credit offered in their current country of residence as you cannot claim Pension Credit if you move out of the UK permanently.

More information on Winter Fuel Payment eligibility can be found on the official Gov.uk website. A Government spokesperson said: “We are committed supporting pensioners – with over 12 million set to see their state pension rise by £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

"Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right we target support to those who need it most. We urge anyone who thinks they may be entitled to Pension Credit to check their eligibility and have already seen a 115% increase in claims following the launch of our awareness campaign.”