The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that there are no plans to change the qualifying criteria for Winter Fuel Payments “at this time” in response to a query from a Labour MP over the potential merits of revising the eligibility rules.
To be eligible for this year's Winter Fuel Payment, you must have been born on or before September 25, 1956 and have lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of September 19 - 25, 2022 - this is called the ‘qualifying week’.
If you do not meet either of these qualifying criteria, or if you live abroad, you may need to make a claim. If you’ve had a Winter Fuel Payment before, you do not need to claim again unless you’ve deferred your State Pension or moved abroad - find out more here.
However, Labour MP Beth Winter, asked: “What recent assessment she [Secretary of State for Work and Pensions], has made of the potential merits of revising the eligibility date of 25 September 1956 to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.”
In a written response, DWP minister Victoria Prentis, said: “There are no plans to change the qualifying criteria for Winter Fuel Payments at this time.
“Winter fuel payments are an age-related payment made to those who have reached State Pension age.
“For winter 2022/23 a person has to have reached State Pension age (which means a person must be born on or before 25 September 1956) on or before the end of the September qualifying week.”
The DWP recently updated online guidance to make it simpler for eight million pensioner households to find out if they are eligible for a £300 cost of living payment this winter.
This one-off lump sum will be added to their annual Winter Fuel Payment, due to be paid over November and December, but to be eligible for the extra financial support pensioners need to meet certain conditions.
DWP guidance on GOV.UK states that most payments are made automatically in November or December, but the money should be paid by January 13, 2023 at the latest. The only way to know if you have received it, is to check your account.
The DWP has now clarified the payment amounts for several household scenarios including where someone lives on their own, with a partner over or under 80, or whether wither of them receive other benefits. These include Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support.
The Winter Fuel Payment, including the extra Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, is not taxable and does not affect eligibility for other benefits. However, the full amount you will get for winter 2022 to 2023 depends on your circumstances.
Who is not eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment
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 19 to 25 September 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)
How much you could be paid
The Winter Fuel Payment, including the extra £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, is not taxable and does not affect eligibility for other benefits. However, the full amount you will get for winter 2022 to 2023 depends on your circumstances.
DWP has updated this year’s payment details to include the £300 payment and clarified who is eligible and how much you will get, depending on your household circumstances.
£150 disability cost of living payment
People over State Pension age may also be eligible for the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment which will be paid to six million people from now until early October. DWP shared that the vast majority of payments will be made from September 26.
You will automatically qualify for the £150 payment if you are getting any award level for one 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 receiving a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these qualifying benefits on May 25, 2022 to get the £150.
Winter Fuel Payment rates 2022/23
Amounts shown in all examples are the total payments, full details of payments 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
Benefits - 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 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
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
As mentioned earlier in this article, you usually do not need to claim Winter Fuel Payment as it is paid automatically to eligible claimants.
If you have not had a Winter Fuel Payment before, you only need to claim if any of the following apply:
- 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 a Winter Fuel Payment before, you only need to claim if since your last payment you have either:
- deferred your State Pension
- moved to Switzerland or an EEA country
Claiming by phone or post
If you need to claim, you can claim Winter Fuel Payment by phone or by post.
Claim for the first time by phone
Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to claim by phone on 0800 731 0160 - lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Claim for the first time by post
You need to fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form for UK residents - this can be found on GOV.UK here.
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