Today is the deadline for pensioners to receive their combined Winter Fuel and Cost of Living payments, worth up to £600 for some households.
Most pensioners should have received the money towards their energy bills before Christmas, but the DWP has said today is the last day that payments will be made, and anyone who is eligible but has not received these payments should get in touch.
Winter Fuel Payments – boosted this year by an additional £300 per household Pensioner Cost of Living payment – were made before Christmas to over 99% of the eligible 11.5 million pensioners across the UK this winter, including nearly 500,000 in the North East. The rollout of this year's payments started in November. Last year, 497,374 North East pensioners received the extra money from the Winter Fuel Payment.
Read more: How to work out how much your heating costs per hour
Winter Fuel Payments, which are given to older people to help with energy bills over the winter, are worth between £100 and £300 depending on your specific circumstances. However, this year, the payment was topped by £300 through a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment in response to rising bills in the UK. This means some claimants could potentially get £600 to help pay their energy bills in the winter months.
To check if you have received the Winter Fuel Payment, the reference you will see in your bank account should start with your National Insurance number. It should then be followed by a reference of DWP WFP.
The full amount paid depends on your circumstances. The overwhelming majority of Winter Fuel Payments are paid automatically but some people need to make a claim, such as those who qualify but do not receive benefits or the State Pension and have never previously received a Winter Fuel Payment.
What should I do if I haven't received my payment yet?
Pensioners are being asked to double check their bank statements before contacting DWP as they payments are made automatically and most people don't need to apply for them. If they have not received your payment contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre online or by telephone on 0800 731 0160.
I'm in one of the groups that needs to apply. How do I do this?
Visit the GOV.UK Winter Fuel Payment page to see if you do need to apply and how to do so. You have until March 31 to apply.
Is there any more help I can get?
If you are state retirement age and on a low income, Pension Credit can top up your weekly income to £182.60 if you’re single or £278.70 if you have a partner. These payments can add an extra £3,300 to an average pensioner's annual income. You may get extra amounts if you have other responsibilities and costs, such as a severe disability or if you care for another adult.
You can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age, either by using the Government website or by ringing the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
Households receiving certain benefits – including Pension Credit – have already received cold weather payments this year in the recent cold snap. The money is paid automatically until the end of March if the temperature in your area falls to 0C or below for seven consecutive days.
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