This year, millions of people on specific benefits are set to receive a financial boost from the Department of Work and Pensions to assist with their heating expenses
This year, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to provide a financial boost to millions of people on specific benefits to help with their heating costs. However the government has dramatically altered who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment this year, significantly reducing the number of pensioners who can access this money.
Labour’s strategy aimed at cutting the number of people being paid the cash means that it will now be means tested. In contrast to last year when every pensioner automatically qualified for this one-off payment, which typically starts hitting accounts in November, it will now only be available to those on Pension Credit or certain other entitlements.
Eligible Winter Fuel Payment benefits
You can qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this year if you were born before September 23, 1958 and live in Scotland, England, or Wales while receiving one of the specified benefits. In certain circumstances, you may be eligible even if you live abroad:
- 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
When you won’t be eligible
You won’t be eligible if:
How much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll receive
If you live alone, you’ll receive either:
- £200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £300 if you were born before September 23, 1944
If you live with someone and jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will receive a payment of either:
- £200 if both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £300 if one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944
If you live in a care home and are eligible, you’ll receive either:
- £100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £150 if you were born before September 23, 1944
Check if you need to claim
If you don’t receive any of the qualifying means-tested benefits, you’ll need to claim if either of the following apply:
- You have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before
- You or your partner get Universal Credit
How to claim
You can claim your Winter Fuel Payment by:
- Post – from September 30, 2024
- Phone – from October 28, 2024
If you’re on Universal Credit, you’ll be informed how to claim through a message in your journal.
The deadline for winter 2024 to 2025 claims is set for March 31, 2025. Comprehensive information about eligibility and payments can be found on the Winter Fuel Payment section of the GOV.UK website.
