Millions of households are set to receive a Winter Fuel Payment to help with their bills.
The scheme is being boosted this year to support people struggling with the rising costs of living. Those who are eligible for financial help via the scheme will see their payments doubled.
This means that people could get up to £600 and if two separate people in the same household qualify, they'll both get the money, giving a total of £1,200. It is estimated that more than eight million households will benefit from the Winter Fuel Payment across the UK.
Read More: Horror as State Pension could pay £324 less than average energy bill
The majority of payments will be made automatically in November and December - with all payments being issued by January 13 next year at the latest. This winter, you will get £250 to £600 from the scheme to help you pay your heating bills, including a one-off cost of living top-up, BirminghamLive reports.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has detailed the amounts people can expect to receive in different scenarios including whether you live alone, with a partner under 80, with a partner over 80, are on specific benefits, or live in a care home. See full details below.
Who qualifies for Winter Fuel Payment
You will qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if the following apply:
- you were born on or before September 25, 1956
- you lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of September 19 to 25, 2022 - this is called the qualifying week
- if you did not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you might still get the payment if both of the following apply: you live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area (EEA) country; and you have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK - this can include having lived or worked in the UK, and having family in the UK
You will not qualify if you:
- are in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
- need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds
- were in prison for the whole week from September 19 to 25, 2022
- lived in a care home for the whole time from June 27 to September 25, 2022, and got Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK.
You should get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically (you do not need to claim) if you're eligible and either get the State Pension, or another DWP social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit).
If you don't get a State Pension or other qualifying benefit, or if you live abroad, you may need to make a claim. The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2022 to 2023 is March 31, 2023.
How much will you get? Winter Fuel Payment rates 2022/23
How much you get depends on your circumstances during the qualifying week. The amounts listed below include the one-off Pensioner Cost of Living Payment. This is between £150 and £300. You will only get this extra amount in winter 2022 to 2023.
Any money you get is tax-free and will not affect your other benefits. Check the scenarios below to see which one applies to you:
1. You qualify and live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify)
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £500
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £600
2. You qualify and live with someone under 80 who also qualifies
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £250
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £350
3. You qualify and live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £250
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £300
4. You qualify, live in a care home and do not get certain benefits
Benefits refers to Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £250
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £300
Winter Fuel Payment rates if you get certain benefits
Your payment may be different if you or your partner gets one of the following benefits: Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support.
1. You qualify, get one of the benefits and live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify)
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £500
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £600
2. You qualify and live with a partner who qualifies, and either of you gets one of the benefits
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £500 - only one of you will get the payment
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £600 - only one of you will get the payment
3. You qualify and live with someone (not your partner) who qualifies, and either of you gets one of the benefits
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £500 - you will both get the payment
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £600 - you will both get the payment
4. You qualify, live in a care home and get one of the benefits
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: Nil
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: Nil
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