DWP sending letters to state pensioners which contain free £300 boost
by James Rodger, https://www.facebook.com/jamesrodgerjournalist · Birmingham LiveThe Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is writing to pensioners born in these years over free £300 payments landing in bank accounts. As part of the Winter Fuel Payments, state pensioners eligible are set to receive either £200 or £300.
You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible. If you do not get a letter but think you are eligible, check if you need to make a claim. The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 16 and 22 September 2024. This is called the ‘qualifying week’.
Any money you get is tax-free and will not affect your other benefits. If you live alone you’ll get either £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958 or £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944, the DWP guidance states.
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The DWP stipulates 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 one or both of you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958 or £300 if one or both of you were born before 23 September 1944.
You’ll be paid into the bank account your benefits are usually paid into. If you live in a care home i f you’re eligible you’ll get either £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958 or £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944.
Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre if you’re not sure if you’re eligible. You cannot make a claim by phone. Winter Fuel Payment Centre can be contacted via telephone on 0800 731 0160 or via textphone, when you contact Relay UK on 18001 then 0800 731 0160.
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