Millions of pensioners will start to receive up to £600 in cost of living help into their bank accounts from today.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the start of the Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments.
Over 11.6 million pensioners will be entitled to the support.
Winter Fuel Payments are normally worth between £100 and £300 - depending on your age, who you live with and if you claim benefits.
But this winter, the Government is topping up Winter Fuel Payments by an extra £300 because of the cost of living crisis. This means some families could potentially get up to £600.
The money is expected to be paid throughout November and December and should be received by January 13, 2023.
The cash will appear in bank statements with the payment reference starting with your National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP WFP’ for people in Great Britain, or ‘DFC WFP’ for people in Northern Ireland.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “We want to do everything we can to support pensioners who are often the most exposed to higher costs.
“That’s why we’re providing all pensioner households with an additional £300 on top of their Winter Fuel Payments to heat their homes and stay warm this winter.”
Winter Fuel Payment and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment explained
You could be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 26, 1956.
You normally need to have lived in the UK for at least one day in the qualifying week - between 19 to 25 September 2022.
You might still get the payment if you live outside the UK if you moved to an eligible country before January 1, 2021 - see the full list of countries that qualify here.
You also need to 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.
There are some circumstances where you won't be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment. You won't be entitled if you:
- Have been 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
If you lived in a care home, you might be entitled to a smaller Winter Fuel Payment.
But you won't receive any cash at all if you lived in a care home for the whole time between June 27 and September 25, 2022, and you got:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Most people should receive their Winter Fuel Payment automatically.
If you think you're entitled but haven't received the cash, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre online or by calling 0800 731 0160.
The deadline for making a claim for winter is March 31, 2023.
