The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has adjusted its guidelines for older people to help them find out more easily if they qualify for the one-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment.
Over 8 million households across Scotland and the UK will receive the money alongside their Winter Fuel Payment this November and December. It is intended to help people pay their energy bills amid the worsening cost of living crisis.
The DWP has issued an update clarifying how much money recipients will get, depending on their circumstances. For example, whether they live on their own or with a partner, and whether they receive other benefits such as Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
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As reported by the Daily Record, the Winter Fuel Payment and the £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment are not taxable, and will not affect other benefits.
You will qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment this year if you are above the State Pension age during the week of September 19 to September 25. If you have received the Winter Fuel Payment in the past, you do not need to make a new claim unless you have deferred your State Pension or moved out of the UK.
According to the DWP, the majority of payments will be issued automatically in November and December, and by January 13, 2023 at the latest.
Who is not eligible for Winter Fuel Payment
You are not eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment if you:
- Are in hospital and receive free treatment for over one year
- Require permission to come into the UK and granted leave states that you are not permitted to claim public funds
- Were imprisoned for the entirety of the eligibility period from 19 to 25 September
- Resided in a care home for the entirety of the period from 27 June to 25 September and received Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
How much you could be paid
The Winter Fuel Payment, as well as the additional £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, are not taxable and do not impact eligibility for other benefits.
The amount you will receive is dependent on your circumstances, and the DWP has updated its payment details — clarifying who will be eligible and how much they will receive.
£150 disability cost of living payment
If you are over the State Pension age, you may also qualify for the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment. This will be issued to six million people starting September 20.
You will automatically qualify for the money if you receive any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
You must have been claiming one of these benefits on May 25 in order to be eligible.
Winter Fuel Payment rates 2022/23
Here is a rundown of this year's Winter Fuel Payment rates. More information can be found on GOV.UK here.
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
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
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
You qualify, live in a care home and do not get certain benefits
This applies 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 payments if you get certain benefits
Your payment may differ if either you or your partner claims any of the following:
- Pension Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
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
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
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
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
How to claim
If you have not received the Winter Fuel Payment in the past, you only need to apply if any of the following are true:
- you do not get benefits or a State Pension
- you get an Adult Disability Payment from the Scottish Government
- you only get Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit
- you get benefits or a State Pension but live in Switzerland or an EEA country
If you have received the Winter Fuel Payment in the past, you only need to apply if you:
- deferred your State Pension
- moved to Switzerland or an EEA country
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