As the cost of living crisis continues and worries about the rising energy bills thrive, the Department for Working and Pensions (DWP) has recently issued an update on their online guidance.
Millions of people will find it easier and quicker to find out who qualifies for a one-off Pensioner Cost of Living Payment on top of their annual Winter Fuel Payment. The one-off payment of £300 is expected to be issued to millions.
As the Daily Record reports, the DWP has now confirmed the payment amounts for several household situations including where someone lives on their own, with a partner or under 80, or whether either of them claims benefits including; Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support.
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If you claim one of the other benefits listed above or live alone, the Winter Fuel Payment can go up to £600.
In a bid to help people over State Pensions age manage energy bills this winter, more than eight million eligible households who receive the Winter Fuel Payment across the UK will receive the cash boost over November and December.
The Winter Fuel Payment and the additional Pensioner Cost of Living Payment will not be taxed and do not affect any other benefits but the DWP do remind claimants that the amount each person will get depends on circumstances.
People will be eligible for this year's Winter Fuel Payment if they are over State Pension age (aged 66 or above) between 19 - 25 September 2022 - this is the qualifying week for the benefit.
If you do not meet either of these criteria or if you live abroad, you may need to make a claim and if you’ve had a Winter Fuel Payment before, you do not need to claim again unless you’ve deferred your State Pension or moved abroad - find out more here.
DWP states that most payments are made automatically in November or December, but the money should be paid by January 13, 2023 at the latest. The only way to know if you have received it is to check your account.
£150 disability cost of living payment
People over State Pension age may also be eligible for the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment which will be paid to six million people from September 20, 2022.
You will automatically qualify for the £150 payment if you are getting any award level for one of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
You must have been receiving payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these qualifying benefits on May 25, 2022, to get the £150.
Winter Fuel Payment rates 2022/23
The amounts shown in all examples are the total payments, full details of payments can be found on GOV.UK here.
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
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
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
You qualify, live in a care home and do not get certain benefits
Benefits - 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 payments if you get 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
A breakdown of each payment you could receive if you get one of the benefits above are as followed.
You qualify, get one of the benefits above 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
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
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
You qualify, live in a care home and get one of the benefits
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: Nil
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: Nil
How to claim
As mentioned earlier in this article, you usually do not need to claim Winter Fuel Payment as it is paid automatically to eligible claimants.
If you have not had a Winter Fuel Payment before, you only need to claim if any of the following apply:
- You do not get benefits or a State Pension
- You get an Adult Disability Payment from the Scottish Government
- You only get Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit
- You get benefits or a State Pension but live in Switzerland or an EEA country
If you have received a Winter Fuel Payment before, you only need to claim if since your last payment you have either:
- Deferred your State Pension
- Moved to Switzerland or an EEA country
You can claim the Winter Fuel Payment by phone 0800 731 0160 - lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm or post. If you choose to post, you need to fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form for UK residents - this can be found on GOV.UK here.
Who is not eligible for Winter Fuel Payment
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 19 to 25 September 2022
- Lived in a care home for the whole time from 27 June to 25 September 2022, and got Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
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