Pensioners will receive up to £600 in free cash this winter during the ongoing cost of living crisis. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been handing out combined Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments since November.
But now the DWP has encouraged anyone who is eligible for the payments, but has yet to receive the cash, to contact them by January 13, 2023. Over 11.6 million pensioners are entitled to the support, as reported by The Mirror.
Winter Fuel Payments are usually worth between £100 and £300 depending on your age, who you live with and if you claim benefits. But this winter, the Government is topping up Winter Fuel Payments by an extra £300 because of the cost of living crisis.
This means some families in need could potentially get up to £600. The payment reference you will see in your bank account should start with your National Insurance number. This will then be followed by ‘DWP WFP’ for people in Great Britain, or ‘DFC WFP’ for people in Northern Ireland.
Winter Fuel Payment and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment explained
You could be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 26, 1956. You normally need to have lived in the UK for at least one day in the qualifying week - between 19 to 25 September 2022.
You might still get the payment if you live outside the UK if you moved to an eligible country before January 1, 2021. See the full list of countries that qualify here.
You need to 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. There are some circumstances where you won't be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment. You won't be entitled if you:
Have been 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 19 to 25 September 2022
If you lived in a care home, you might be entitled to a smaller Winter Fuel Payment. But you won't receive any cash at all if you lived in a care home for the whole time between June 27 and September 25, 2022, and you got:
Pension Credit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
What to do if you haven't got your Winter Fuel Payment and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
Most people should receive their Winter Fuel Payment automatically. The deadline for making a claim for winter is March 31, 2023.
If you think you're entitled but haven't received the cash, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre online or by calling 0800 731 0160.
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