Some extra financial support will be available for many this winter(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

DWP Winter Fuel Payment and Christmas bonus - full list of who could get £310

The Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off payment to help with heating costs. Here's all you need to know about eligibility for the benefit

27 Sep 2024, 03:00 by Kieran Isgin · The Mirror

Millions of people will be able to get up to £310 this winter. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to provide a financial boost to individuals on certain benefits to assist with their heating costs.

The headlines have been dominated by cuts to Winter Fuel Payment entitlement announced by the Labour government. But many will, despite this, still get the help.

Labour's aim is to introduce means-testing. That will clearly narrow down the recipient base for the Winter Fuel Payment, an award that can go up to £300.

This is a stark contrast to last year when every pensioner automatically qualified for this one-off transfer, which usually starts to hit accounts in November. Only those on Pension Credit or certain other entitlements will receive the money this season.

The Winter Fuel Payment can provide up to £300( Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

Additionally, a bonus payment exclusively for Christmas will be made available to a broad range of benefit claimants.

Who is eligible for Winter Fuel Payment

You can qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this year if you were born before 23rd September 1958 and live in England, Scotland, or Wales while receiving one of the specified benefits. In certain circumstances, you may be eligible even if you live abroad:

Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Working Tax or Child Tax Credits

When you won't be eligible

You won't be eligible if:

Are not in receipt of one of the means-tested benefits listed above
Have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
Were in prison for the whole of the qualifying week of September 16 to 22, 2024

The Christmas bonus payment is currently worth £10( Image: Getty Images)

Who is eligible for the £10 Christmas Bonus?

To qualify for the Christmas Bonus, individuals must be present or 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the expected qualifying week of December 2 to 8, 2024. Further details on the exact qualifying week will be confirmed later this year.

Claimants must be receiving at least one of the following benefits during the qualifying week:

Adult Disability Payment (Scotland only)
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
Carer Support Payment (Scotland only)
Child Disability Payment (Scotland only)
Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
Disability Living Allowance
Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
Mobility Supplement
Pension Credit - the guarantee element
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
War Widow’s Pension
Widowed Mother’s Allowance
Widowed Parent’s Allowance
Widow’s Pension

It should be noted that not everyone above the State Pension age is automatically entitled to the bonus. The DWP's official guidance on GOV.UK clarifies: "If you have not claimed your State Pension and are not entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits you will not get a Christmas Bonus."

There's no need to apply for the Christmas Bonus - it should be automatically credited to you.