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Nottingham Post

National

Karen Antcliff

DWP Winter Fuel payment update as millions set for £600 boost

DWP United Kingdom Nil

Terrifying predictions about rising fuel prices and the cost of living have dominated the news recently. People's champion, Martin Lewis, has issued warnings ahead of the October price cap rise alongside his usual money-saving advice - and there's been talk of people cancelling direct debits.

However, there is some good news ahead. Millions are set for a boost of up to £600 this winter.

There has been much talk of the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) Winter Fuel Payment. This year the Government advised that for some, this could mean up to £600 extra depending upon your circumstances during the qualifying week. The qualifying week for winter 2022 to 2023 is 19 to 25 September 2022.

Most payments will be made automatically in November or December and you’ll get a letter telling you how much you’ll get. However, as a guide, details of just who is eligible to claim the amount, how much they'll get and how to claim is explained below based on advice from the Government website.

More than eight million eligible households will receive the Winter Fuel Payment across the UK. It you think you are eligible but do not get a letter or the money is not paid into your account by Friday, January 13, 2023, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

The DWP has detailed the amounts people can expect to receive in a series of different scenarios, including whether you live alone, with a partner under 80, with a partner over 80, are on specific benefits, or reside in a care home.

Do you qualify 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. You can put in your claim for a Winter Fuel Payment from August 1, 2022. The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2022 to 2023 is March 31, 2023.

How much will you get? Rates for 2022/23 only

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 for those on 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