DWP sending letters as some people will receive up to £300

As Winter Fuel Payment eligibility has now significantly changed, around 1.5m people over State Pension age will receive a boost of up to £300 this winter to help with higher heating bills, compared with many more in previous years. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send letters to all pensioners by the end of this month explaining the policy change and how much they can expect to receive - if they are entitled to 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 receive 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.

People over 80 living in a care home will receive £150, those aged between 66 and 79 will receive £100. The policy change will result in around 10m pensioners missing out on payments this winter, reports the Daily Record.

Winter Fuel Payment broken down

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:

• 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

In some circumstances, you might be eligible if you live abroad - find out more here.

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.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is currently being received by nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain, including over 125,000 residing in Scotland. Some seniors mistakenly believe that having savings or owning a home disqualifies them from this means-tested benefit, which can also provide assistance with housing costs, Winter Fuel Payment, and Council Tax.

Pension Credit boosts weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. It's a tax-free payment for those who qualify:

• have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
• live in Great Britain

Even an award of just £1 per week can unlock additional support.

New Pension Credit claims made before December 21, 2024, that are later successful will also qualify for a backdated Winter Fuel Payment. This is because claims can be backdated up to three months, extending entitlement to within the September qualifying week.

Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.

Alternatively, pensioners can directly reach out to the Pension Credit helpline to make a claim by dialling 0800 99 1234 - the lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday through Friday.

Expert help and advice is also available from:

• Independent Age
• Income Max
• Citizens Advice
• Age UK