Millions of people will start receiving a £300 cost of living payment from this month to help with rising energy bills. The money is on top of several financial support packages announced in recent months including £650 being given in two instalments to lower-income households and a £400 discount off energy bills.
The £300 cost of living payment was originally announced by new prime Rishi Sunak earlier this year while he was chancellor of the exchequer. It will be given to around eight million pensioners vulnerable to the rising cost of gas and electricity.
The money will be on top of the usual winter fuel payment and the DWP said those eligible will receive their money in November or December. Here's everything you need to know about the pensioner cost of living payment including how much you get and whether you qualify. To get all the latest money-saving news straight to your inbox twice a week sign up here.
Read more: All the heating bills discounts this winter, who gets them, and when they're paid
Who qualifies for the pensioner cost of living payment?
The pensioner cost of living payment will be given to those who qualify for the winter fuel payment. This is an annual, tax-free sum paid by the UK government to help those over the state pension age pay their heating bills during the coldest months and most payments are made in November and December. In order to qualify for the winter fuel payment you must have been born on or before September 25, 1956 and also have lived in the UK for at least one day in the qualifying week, which for 2022/23 was between September 19 and 25, 2022.
Announced earlier this year, you will now get an extra £300 for your household paid with your normal winter fuel payment from November 2022. It means you'll get up to £300 added onto your usual payment - how much winter fuel payment you receive depends on a number of factors including your age, who you live with and what benefits you receive.
Here are the new winter fuel payments for 2022/23 including the additional pensioner cost of living payment
Here is how much you will get if you were born between September 26, 1942 and September 25, 1956:
- Live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify) - £500
- Live with someone under 80 who also qualifies - £250
- Live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies - £250
- Live in a care home and do not get certain benefits - £250
Here is how much you will get if you were born on or before September 25, 1942:
- Live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify) - £600
- Live with someone under 80 who also qualifies - £350
- Live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies - £300
- Live in a care home and do not get certain benefits - £300
If you or your partner claims pension credit, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance or income support, your pay will be different.
If you were born between September 26, 1942 and September 25, 1956:
- Live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify) - £500
- Live with someone under 80 who also qualifies - £500 (only one of you will get the payment)
- Live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies - £500 (you'll both get the payment)
- Live in a care home and do not get certain benefits - N/A
Here is how much you will get if you were born on or before September 25, 1942:
- Live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify) - £600
- Live with someone under 80 who also qualifies - £600 (only one of you will get the payment)
- Live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies - £600 (you'll both get the payment)
- Live in a care home and do not get certain benefits - N/A
A government spokesperson said: "If you’re entitled to a winter fuel payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you will get an extra £300 for your household paid with your normal payment from November 2022. This is in addition to any cost of living payment you get with your benefit or tax credits.
"The full amount of winter fuel payment you will get for winter 2022 to 2023 depends on your circumstances."
When and how will I get my money?
You do not need to apply for the £300 pensioner cost of living payment, which will be issued automatically alongside the regular winter fuel payment. Households entitled to the winter fuel payment should also receive this automatically without needing to apply. The payments will start being made from this week and you'll get your money in November or December when the winter fuel payment is usually made. The DWP said an exact date for the payments would be confirmed soon.
If you don’t claim the state pension or a qualifying benefit or you live abroad you may need to make a claim through the Gov.uk website here. You won't be eligible for a winter fuel payment - or the resulting pensioner cost of living payment, 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 or Income-related employment and support allowance.
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