Four reasons state pensioners won't get £300 Winter Fuel Payment 'despite qualifying'
FOUR reasons people won't get the free £300 Winter Fuel Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions - despite qualifying for Pension Credit, which is a gateway qualification. The reasons include living in Scotland, residing in a care home for the entire period from 24 June to 22 September 2024 and being hospitalised for free treatment for more than a year.
Being incarcerated for the entire qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024 is another reason. People aged between 66 and 79 receive £200, and those over 80 receive £300. It’s typically paid in November or December automatically, and the amount you get is based on your circumstances during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024.
Previously, all pensioners received the Winter Fuel Payment. However, on 29 July 2024, the government announced cuts to the scheme. It will now only be available to people who are in receipt of Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits.
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In addition to meeting the age requirements, a pensioner household must be entitled to at least one of the following: Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit award of no less than £26 in the tax year 2024/25, Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support and Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
First introduced in 1997, the Winter Fuel Payment amounts have varied, but in most years the amount has been £200 for households where the oldest person is under 80, and £300 for households with someone aged 80 or over. In some years, extra amounts have been paid on top of the standard payments.
For the winters 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, households received an additional Pensioner Cost of Living Payment worth £300 along with their Winter Fuel Payment. These payments are not being repeated for winter 2024/2025.