DWP warns state pensioners need to 'pay back' £300 for three reasons

Three reasons why you could be asked to pay back Winter Fuel Payment by DWP – and how to avoid falling foul of rules - have been revealed.

The Department for Work and Pensions could ask state pensioners to pay back a £300 Winter Fuel Allowance. Three reasons why you could be asked to pay back Winter Fuel Payment by DWP – and how to avoid falling foul of rules - have been revealed.

The £300 payment is being made to those on certain benefits this winter to cover the extra cost of energy over the colder months. There may be other circumstances where you receive the Winter Fuel Payment this financial year and have to repay some or all of it back to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The new Labour Party government's guidance states that you have to pay it back if you did not report a change of circumstances straight away. For example, if you moved address or stopped receiving a benefit that qualified you for the payment.

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You could also be docked the payment if you gave the wrong information out in your application such as the incorrect age. Or, you may have to pay it back if you were overpaid by the DWP by mistake, the stipulation from Labour adds. Claimants are being called to let the DWP of any changes to their circumstances which could affect their claim to avoid being placed in any of the above situations.

As it stands, those who are not entitled to means-tested support or on low income are not able to claim the payment under the new criteria so any accidental awards will need to be paid back. Older people residing in the UK will be able to inform the Government of any changes by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

Alternatively, anyone impacted who lives outside the UK can reach the DWP's helpline by calling +44 (0)191 218 7777. Age UK's charity director Caroline Abrahams said recently: "If [Labour] is dead set on pressing ahead, the very least they should do is to greatly expand the numbers of pensioners who will receive a WFP beyond the small group they have so far said will retain it.

"They could achieve this in part by automatically giving the Payment to pensioners on other benefits, such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Personal Independence Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance. Even this would not be enough though because many pensioners on low incomes or in vulnerable circumstances would still miss out on a WFP when they can ill afford to do so."