Check eligibility for DWP's £200 winter fuel payment for state pensioners

The Department for Work and Pensions is paying state pensioners born before a specific date a free £200 payment to help get them through winter.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to provide a helping hand to state pensioners born before certain dates with a free £200 payment aimed at supporting them through the colder months. Those who qualify and meet the necessary conditions could receive £200 from the DWP this winter.

Eligible senior citizens will receive the £200 Winter Fuel Payment if they are on their own and were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958. However, those born on or before 23 September 1944 could see an increased amount of £300, as per the DWP's guidance.

Couples who jointly claim benefits will be eligible for one payment either £200 if one or both partners were born in the period from 23 September 1944 to 22 September 1958, or £300 if either was born before 23 September 1944.

Payments will be made directly into the bank account where recipients normally receive their benefits. For those residing in care homes, the eligible individuals will receive either £200 or £300, depending on their date of birth as outlined above.

Amidst this, the Labour Party leadership's move to delay the debate and vote on cutting the winter fuel allowance has sparked controversy. Unite's Andy Green labelled it "an outrage", criticising the timing of the decision: "This is simply an attempt to take out the debate on the winter fuel allowance. Today is economy day at conference and we have the chancellor speaking and a composite motion on the growth mission, which is scheduled for this morning.", reports Birmingham Live.

"So, it is more of a surprise, in fact an outrage, to us that the composite motion from Unite and the CWU on economy for the future is not listed on the agenda for today. It is disrespectful to our members and every single delegate here and conference itself, who voted for the priorities ballot."

Lynne Morris, who chairs the CAC, faced heckles and boos from some delegates as she explained: "This is a really busy conference and we are trying to accommodate as much as we can, and I'm going to take this back straight to CAC and I'll come back to you with an answer ASAP."