DWP issues huge update for pensioners getting £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year
Pensioners across the UK will start to receive this year's Winter Fuel Payment from this week.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced that the winter support payment would start to be sent directly to bank accounts from Monday, November 25. The support payment – worth between £200 and £300 – is given to pensioner households to help with the higher cost of energy over the colder months.
If you are born between September 23, 1944 and 22 September 22, 1958, you will receive a payment of £200, and those born before 23 September 23, 1944, will get £300. The reference for the payment in your bank account will be your National Insurance number followed by "DWP WFP". So, for example, it would look like: "QQ123456B DWP WFP".
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Earlier this year, the Labour government means-tested the DWP benefit, so instead of all pensioners over the age of 66 getting the payment as was the case before, only those claiming certain benefits will. Under the new rules, you are eligible for this year's Winter Fuel Payment if you are over the state pension age of 66 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 are eligible, you will receive the payment automatically. It is possible to still be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment even if you weren't claiming one of these benefits during the qualifying week. 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.
Since changing the rules, the government has launched a huge awareness campaign for Pension Credit. The benefit – provided to low-income pensioners – tops up your weekly income to £218.15 a week if you are single or £332.95 if you have a partner. From next April, these rates will rise to £227.10 and £346.60 respectively. Pension Credit is also classed as a gateway benefit as by claiming, you could also be eligible for help with housing costs, council tax reductions and NHS treatment costs. Overall, it is worth around £3,900 a year.
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