State pensioners across the UK need to check their bank accounts for a six-digit code this week for a £300 boost.
Pensioners in England, Wales and Northern who were born before September 23, 1958, or are in receipt of certain benefits, should now have received a Winter Fuel Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The Winter Fuel Payment is worth up to £300 and provides vital support to pensioner households struggling to afford their energy bills.
It was previously available to every aged 66 and over but changes introduced by the new Labour government has now seen the payment restricted to pensioners receiving Pension Credit, or any of the following means-tested benefits:
You must have been claiming one of these benefits during the qualifying week of September 16 to 22 September, 2024, to qualify for this year’s payment.
Everyone who is entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment this year should have received it by January 29, 2025.
Pensioners are advised to check for a six-digit code on their bank statement to ensure they have received their payment. This will appear as your National Insurance number followed by the code “DWP WFP”.
Most payments are automatically issued in November or December and you should have received a letter from the DWP telling you how much you’ll get and which bank account the money will be paid into.
Anyone who didn’t receive a letter, or has not seen the money paid into their account by January 29, 2025, is urged to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0191 218 7777.
If you’re waiting for a Pension Credit decision you’ll get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically when your claim for Pension Credit is approved.
If you’ve applied for Pension Credit but haven’t received a decision yet, you don’t need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2024 to 2025 is March 31, 2025 and when you make a claim, you’ll need to provide evidence of the means-tested benefit you’re getting.
