The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently announced that 11.6million Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments - support worth a total of £4.6billion - have been made to older people across the UK, including 973,604 living in Scotland.
DWP also said that the vast majority of these payments, worth up to £600 per household, landed in bank accounts automatically, directly helping people manage their energy bills and household budgets this winter. The payments appear in bank statements with the reference beginning with the customer’s National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP WFP’.
People of State Pension age who have not yet received their payment are being urged by the DWP not to worry, as payments will be made until the end of this week. However, those who have not received their payment by Friday, January 13, should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre online here or by phoning 0800 731 0160.
DWP said that the majority of Winter Fuel Payments are being paid automatically, however, some people may need to make a claim - such as those who qualify but do not receive benefits or the State Pension and have never previously received a Winter Fuel Payment.
Those who need to make a claim have until March 31, 2023, to do so - full details on how to do this can be fond on GOV.UK here.
Winter Fuel Payments are boosted this winter by an additional £300 per household Pensioner Cost of Living payment as part of an extensive UK Government package of support to help people of all ages with the cost of heating their homes over the colder months.
This includes providing households with £400 towards their energy bills, with the UK Government’s £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee saving the typical household another £900 on top of this.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in November that an additional £300 cost of living payment will also be added to Winter Fuel Payments for eligible households in 2023/24 - find out more here.
To keep up to date with the latest State Pension news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.
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