DWP issues January deadline for getting £300 Winter Fuel Payment as millions miss out

The majority of people are paid their Winter Fuel Payment in November or December - but the DWP has explained that for some people, it can take a bit longer

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has explained the exact date you should receive your Winter Fuel Payment by.

Winter Fuel Payments are worth up to £300 and used to be available to everyone over state pension age. However, a change in eligibility criteria means only those claiming means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, will now receive this cash support. If you're due the payment, you should start to receive a letter from this month from the DWP.

The majority of people are then paid in November or December - but the DWP has explained that for some people, it can take a bit longer. If you haven't received your letter or payment by January 29, then you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. In order to be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this year, you must have been born before September 23, 1958 and claiming one of the following benefits between September 16 and September 22, 2024:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

If you weren’t claiming one of these benefits during the qualifying week, the DWP has confirmed there is still a way you can qualify. Pension Credit claims can be backdated by three months, which means you have until December 21 to apply and still be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment.

How much the Winter Fuel Payment is worth all depends on your age and living arrangements. If you're eligible, you'll get £200 if:

• You live alone and you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
• You live with someone and one or both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958

You'll get a £300 Winter Fuel Payment if:

• You live alone and you were born before September 23, 1944
• You live with someone and one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944

You won't be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment if you lived in a care home for the whole time from June 24 to September 22, 2024. You can still be eligible if you live in a care home on a temporary basis, which is less than 13 weeks by the end of the qualifying period.

You also won't be eligible if you've been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year, if you needed permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds, or if you are in prison for the whole of the week of September 16 to September 22, 2024.

If you live abroad, you'll need to make a claim for a Winter Fuel Payment You must have moved to an eligible EEA country or Switzerland before December 31, 2020 and be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, to get a Winter Fuel Payment. As well as getting the UK state pension, you must also be getting a qualifying benefit from the country you live in. Finally, must have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK.