Millions of Brits will receive an extra £600 payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) amid lowering temperatures.
The Winter Fuel Payment will be paid throughout November and December and could see eligible claimants getting between £250 and £600. The payment also includes the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment which is worth up to £300 alone.
Extra cash is being handed out as part of the Winter Fuel Payment this year in response to the Cost of Living crisis. If you are eligible for the payment, you may have already received a letter since October telling you how much you will get.
Read more: DWP and HMRC £300 cost of living payment update for those who didn't get it
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Who will receive the Winter Fuel Payment?
In order to be considered eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you must have been born before September 25, 1957, and usually live in the UK. The amount you receive will be based on your circumstances between September 18 and September 24, 2023 - otherwise known as the 'qualifying week'.
However, you will not be considered eligible if you meet one of the following:
- Have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
- Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- Were in prison for the whole of the week of 18 to 24 September 2023
While being in a care home will not immediately disqualify you from the payment, it may if both of the following apply:
- You get Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- You lived in a care home for the whole time from 26 June to 24 September 2023
If you don't receive a letter about the Winter Fuel Payment by the end of November but believe you should receive it, you will need to make a claim with the Winter Fuel Payment centre by either dialling 0800 731 0160 or fill in an online email enquiry form.
