State pensioners born in these years to get £300 DWP payment

State pensioners are £300 better off after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) started handing out Winter Fuel Payments this week. The payments used to be sent out to every state pensioner in the UK each winter.

But a controversial move meant that this was changed a means testing system earlier this year. This winter marks the first time that millions of state pensioners will not have £300 in their accounts to help cover heating costs.

Those who are eligible this year will be able to check for £200 or £300 this week, depending on their year of birth. The payments previously were sent to every state pensioner in the UK, with £200 for under-75s and £300 for those aged over 75.

READ MORE: Monty Don warns anyone with garden slabs to do one job now

Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here.

Labour previously announced that only state pensioners who are correctly claiming a qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit will receive Winter Fuel Payments this year, Express reports.

Those on low incomes still need to apply for Pension Credit to receive it and then apply for the Winter Fuel Payment as well. It means that as many as 800,000 pensioners who need the money still will not get it when others receive their payments this week.

For those who are eligible and have claimed a qualifying benefit, the money should be available any time now as the DWP has officially begun sending the cash. The DWP said: "The vast majority of these payments will land in pensioners’ bank accounts automatically, directly helping vulnerable households with their energy bills.

"The value of a Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for people born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958, and £300 for those born before September 23, 1944. The payment will be credited to bank accounts from November 25 with the payment reference beginning with the customer’s National Insurance number followed by 'DWP WFP'.

"Those who do not receive a payment by January 29, 2025, should contact the department." The DWP is also warning pensioners on low incomes to make sure they claim Pension Credit, worth up to £3,900 a year.

The deadline to claim Pension Credit and still get your £300 Winter Fuel Payment is approaching, so eligible people must claim by December 21 and backdate it in order to get the cash this winter. Then, to claim your Winter Fuel Payment, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre - but you cannot make a claim by phone.

You can call to check, though, on 0800 731 0160, and the claim must be received and approved by December 21 for you to get the money this winter.