Pensioners have started to receive their Winter Fuel Payment as millions of people are to get the payment.
The payment is worth between £250 and £600 and this year includes a cost of living payment between £150 and £300.
Most people should get the payment in November and December – eligible people shold have got a letter in October or November to tell them how much they will get.
The payment will appear in bank statements with a payment reference. This reference will start with the individual’s National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP WFP’ for people in Great Britain, or ‘DFC WFP’ for people in Northern Ireland.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “We have delivered on our promise to halve inflation and will continue to support people right across the country, including pensioners who may be facing particular challenges over the colder months.
“As well as up to £600 to help our pensioners stay warm this winter, we’re boosting pensions through the triple lock – increasing the full rate of the new state pension by over £900 next year.”
People born before September 25, 1957, are eligible for the payment. Most people should get the payment automatically in November and December.
If a person does not meet these criteria or if they live abroad, they may need to put in a claim for the payment.
Individuals who claim these means of support do not need to claim:
- State pension
- Pension Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carers Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit.
How much will the Winter Fuel Payment be?
The one-off payment is tax-free and will not affect a person’s other benefit payments.
For those who live alone or no one they live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
They will get either:
- £500 if they were born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957
- £600 if they were born before September 25, 1943.
If a person lives with someone else who’s eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
The payment may be different if they get one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
If they do not get any of the benefits listed above
They will get a payment of either:
- £250 if they and the person they live with were both born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957
- £250 if they were born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957 but the person they live with was born before September 25, 1943
- £350 if they were born before September 25, 1943 but the person they live with was born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957
- £300 if they and the person they live with were both born before September 25, 1943.
If a person and their partner jointly claim any of the benefits listed above
One of them will get a payment of either:
- £500 if both of them were born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957
- £600 if one or both of them were born before September 25, 1943.
If a person gets get any of the benefits listed above (not as part of a joint claim)
they will get a payment of either:
- £500 if they were born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957
- £600 if they were born before September 25, 1943.
If a person lives in a care home
If they are eligible they will get either:
- £250 if they were born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957
- £300 if they were born before September 25, 1943.
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