The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has updated online guidance to reflect that new claims for the 2023/24 Winter Fuel Payment can be made from September 18 for people over State Pension age living in the UK and in eligible countries abroad. If you received the payment last year, for winter 2022/23, you will not need to apply again - claim forms will be available online at a later date.
As part of the UK Government’s new cost of living financial support package, if you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment in 2023/24, you will also get an extra £150 or £300 top-up with your normal payment from November. This means eligible households could receive up to £600 to help with heating bills this winter.
The DWP confirmed earlier this year that 11.6 million people over State Pension age received up to £600 in Winter Fuel Payments and cost of living support by December last year.
The full amount of Winter Fuel Payment, including the pensioner cost of living payment you will get this year, depends on when you were born and your circumstances during the qualifying period. You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 if you were born before September 25, 1957.
The qualifying period is typically the last full week in September, which is Monday 18 to Sunday 24 this year - once this has been confirmed we will update this article. You need to have lived in the UK on at least one day during the qualifying week to be eligible.
Most people don’t need to apply for the payment as it is made automatically and letters will be sent out in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you can expect to receive.
The basic rule of thumb is that households containing someone between State Pension age and 79 will receive £500 and 600 for those containing someone aged 80 or over.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
- have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
- need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- If you live in a care home
Care home residents
You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home. You will not be eligible if both of the following apply:
- you get Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Similar to last year, we expect there will be different payment amounts for mixed age households and those on certain benefits.
Guidance on GOV.UK is expected to be updated over the coming months. You can also find updates on the official Cost of Living Payment pages on GOV.UK here.
To keep up to date with the latest State Pension news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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