The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) winter fuel payment deadline is quickly approaching. For many, the sum between £250 and £600 which also includes a pensioner cost of living payment, will have been paid before Christmas.
The money is paid straight into your bank account, usually the same account you receive your state pension or benefits. DWP has confirmed on its website that payments will be made by January 13.
This means that if you are eligible for the payment, you should have received it in your bank by this date. If you haven’t received it, what should you do next?
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What to do if you haven’t received your winter fuel payment?
The first thing you should do is check that you are eligible for the winter fuel payment. Letters were sent out by the DWP in October time informing recipients of the amount they were owed and confirming the details of the bank account it will be paid in.
If you do not have the letter, check your eligibility on the DWP website. You can get a winter fuel payment if you were born before 26 September 1956.
You will not be eligible if you have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year, need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds or were in prison for the whole of the week of 19 to 25 September 2022.
Secondly, check your bank statements to be extra sure that you haven’t received any money from the DWP. Keep these to hand as they may want to check them at some point during your claim.
If, after checking these, you’re sure that you are entitled to the payment and haven’t received it by the end of the day on January 13, you can make a claim for the missing payment. The Winter Fuel Payment centre deals with all appeals, so you’ll have to make your report with them.
You can contact the centre via their email form here. Be sure to include any details you think necessary, however, do not include personal or financial information, such as your National Insurance number or bank account details.
You can also call and speak to an agent at 0800 731 0160. The Winter Fuel Payments centre is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.
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