If you get this DWP letter you may receive up to £300 in your bank account

Changes to the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility will affect approximately 1.5 million people over the State Pension age, who will receive a payment of £100, £200 or £300 this year to help with increased heating bills during the colder months. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send letters to all pensioners by the end of this month outlining the policy change and the amount they can expect to receive - if they qualify for the lump sum.

Pensioners who receive a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit, Tax Credits (an annual award of at least £26) or Universal Credit (mixed couples only), during any day of the qualifying week (September 16-22), will be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment. Eligible pensioners aged between 66 and 79 will automatically receive a payment of £200 into their bank account, while those over 80 will receive £300.

Those over 80 living in care homes will receive £150, while those aged between 66 and 79 will receive £100. However, under Labour's new eligibility criteria, some 10m pensioners will miss out on payments this winter.

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The Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is set to replace Winter Fuel Payments for residents of Scotland, but the Scottish Government will not start delivering this new devolved benefit until winter 2025/26. Here's everything you need to know about Winter Fuel Payment.

Those born before September 23, 1958 and receiving a qualifying income-related benefit such as Pension Credit during the week of September 16-22, 2024 will automatically receive a tax-free payment that won't affect other benefits. According to DWP guidance on GOV.

UK, letters will be sent to eligible pensioner households in mid-October detailing the amount of Winter Fuel Payment they will receive. Most eligible individuals will receive their payments in November or December, paid into the bank account where their State Pension or benefits are usually deposited.

The new guidance also advises that if you do not receive a letter or the money has not been deposited into your account by January 29, 2025, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. Eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment this year requires that you were born before September 23, 1958, live in Scotland, England or Wales, and receive one of the listed benefits.

When you will not be eligible

You will not be eligible if you:

• 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

How much Winter Fuel Payment you will receive

The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you will receive varies depending on whether you live alone, with someone, or in a care home.

If you live alone

You will get either:

• £200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
• £300 if you were born before September 23, 1944

If you live with someone

If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:

• £200 if both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
• £300 if one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944

If you live in a care home

If you are eligible you will get either:

• £100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
• £150 if you were born before September 23, 1944

If you're not receiving any of the qualifying means-tested benefits, you'll need to claim if either of the following apply. You can claim your Winter Fuel Payment by post or over the phone.

The deadline to make a claim for winter 2024 to 2025 is March 31, 2025. Full details about eligibility and payments can be found on the Winter Fuel Payment section on GOV.UK here.