Winter Fuel Payment warning as applications open for certain Brits

Pensioner using a laptop to apply for Winter Fuel Payments
-Credit: (Image: GETTY)


As winter looms, many Brits are bracing themselves for the absence of their usual automatic Winter Fuel Payment, which typically ranges from £200 to £300. This significant shortfall has some scrambling to gather their pennies to cover the gap, while others have been warned that they could miss out on the money despite being eligible if they fail to apply in time.

Brits residing overseas won't receive the payment automatically and need to apply for it by filling out a form and using the DWP's phone service from October 28, with postal applications opening on Monday, September 30. The cut-off date for them to claim for this winter season is March 31, 2025.

These recipients aren't required to be claiming Pension Credit to receive their Winter Fuel Payments, a new contentious eligibility criteria set for those living in the UK. This is because Pension Credit can't be claimed by those living abroad permanently.

Instead, there are other eligibility requirements they must fulfil such as being over the UK state pension age, receiving a UK benefit like the state pension and getting a benefit from their resident country equivalent to Pension Credit, Universal Credit or any of the legacy benefits except for Housing Benefit. They must reside in an eligible EEA country or Switzerland and have relocated there before December 31, 2020, ensuring they are protected by the EU Withdrawal Agreement.

Eligible countries include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.

Finally, claimants must maintain a strong connection to the UK, such as having previously lived or worked there or having family residing there. The necessary forms to apply for Winter Fuel Payment can be located on the official Gov.uk website, and claimants will need to provide certain details like National Insurance numbers, bank account information and data about any recent hospital or care home stays.