DWP paying out first 'free' £300 payments to people next month

The first people eligible for Winter Fuel Payments will start getting the money of around £300 in their bank accounts from next month.

The Department for Work and Pensions is set to send the " first" Winter Fuel Payments worth £300 from next month. The first people eligible for Winter Fuel Payments will start getting the money of around £300 in their bank accounts from next month.

Most people will receive their payments automatically between November and December. The Labour Party government’s website advises people will get a letter instructing how much money people will get and into which bank account the money will go.

Those who do not receive the cash or a letter by January 29 next year are urged to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, which is operated by the DWP. Andy Manning, head of energy policy at Citizens Advice, said: “This price rise means bills are now around two-thirds higher than before the energy crisis.

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“With record levels of energy debt, the removal of previous support and changes to the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment, people are in desperate need. The Government must urgently introduce targeted bill support that reflects the realities of people’s energy needs.”

Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “We’re now heading into the fourth winter of sky high energy prices. After October 1, bills will be 65% higher than in 2020/21, meaning the average household will have paid more than £2,500 extra for their energy than had we not been so exposed to volatile energy markets.

“For older people who previously received the Winter Fuel Payment, but will no longer do so under the Chancellor’s new rules, the situation is even worse. For many pensioners, this winter will feel like the most expensive on record. What’s worse, there are more price increases on the horizon.

“We welcome the Government’s long term plans to boost home energy efficiency to bring down bills and to improve energy security to stabilise prices, but these reforms will take time to take effect and will be cold comfort to those struggling this winter.

“That’s why it is so vital the ministers bring in more support for vulnerable households this winter, reductions in standing charges and a social tariff. The energy industry has made more than £457 billion in profit since the start of the crisis – so there is plenty of money in the system to be able to ensure everyone stays warm this winter and next.”