DWP sending letters to 'every' state pensioner about non-automatic £300 payment

DWP is writing to state pensioners with details of the new Winter Fuel Allowance criteria.

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed letters containing non-automatic £300 payments will be sent out next month. The DWP is writing to state pensioners with details of the new Winter Fuel Allowance criteria.

The DWP will explain to pensioners how the eligibility has changed following the Labour Party government's decision. The payments are now no longer automatic and for many pensioners, they will have to claim Pension Credit to receive the payouts.

Labour Party MP Emma Reynolds confirmed: "From mid-October, all pensioners will receive a letter explaining the changes to Winter Fuel Payments this year and encouraging anyone who may eligible to claim Pension Credit by 21st December.

READ MORE UK set for -4C snow blast with five parts of country 'worst hit'

"The Winter Fuel Payment page on Gov.uk has been updated with the new eligibility rules. The Department will proceed at pace with its communication campaign to raise awareness of the changes and to promote Pension Credit. This will be followed by a Paid Partnership and national media campaign. There will then be continued marketing activity promoting the take-up of Pension Credit.

"The Household Support Fund is also being extended for a further six months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025. An additional £421 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF in England, plus funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual.

"The Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales provides eligible low-income households across Great Britain with a £150 rebate on their electricity bill. This winter, we expect over three million households, including over one million pensioners, to benefit under the scheme."

She was replying to Tory MP Shivani Raja who reached out to ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions "what steps she plans to take to communicate the changes to Winter Fuel Payments to people affected; and what support she plans to provide to help pensioners (a) understand their eligibility and (b) access alternative support."