More than 11 million pensioners who receive the annual Winter Fuel Payment to help with their heating bills will start to see their money this month.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) will start making the payments in November and has said that all eligible households will have received their payment by January 13, 2023 - although how much you will get will depend on your circumstances. If you were born on or before 25 September 1956, you're likely to qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, as long as you were living in the UK during the qualifying week, which this year is the 19-26 September.
And this year, the payment will be boosted by the £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment announced by then Chancellor Rishi Sunak earlier this year, which will be paid at the same time as the Winter Fuel Payment. This one-off boost is in addition to any Cost of Living Payment you get with your benefit or tax credits.
Read more: How and when you might get a cold weather payment this year
Last winter, 11.3 million people received a Winter Fuel Payment, a rise of around 113,000 from the previous year. Of these, 99% lived in Great Britain, with around 36,000 recipients living in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
Here we take a look at the payments and how much you might get.
What is the Winter Fuel Payment?
Introduced in 1997, the Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment for households that include someone born on or before 25 September 1956. It's designed to help you cover your heating costs in winter.
How much is it?
It is a lump sum payment of between £100 and £300, depending on the recipient’s age and circumstances during the qualifying week.
Do I qualify?
People qualify for Winter Fuel Payment if they have reached State Pension age on or before the end of the qualifying week and lived in the UK for at least one day during that week.
How do I get it?
A Winter Fuel Payment is made automatically if a person is eligible and they either get the State Pension, or another social security benefit (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or make a claim ). Those pensioners who do not get State Pension or one of the eligible social security benefits, or those who live abroad, may need to Warm Home Discount:. Any people who have previously received a Winter Fuel Payment do not need to claim again unless they have deferred their State Pension or moved abroad.
When will I get it?
In most cases is paid automatically between November and December, and everyone should have received their payment by January 13, 2023.
Why will I get more this year?
Pensioners who receive the annual Winter Fuel Payment to help with their heating bills will be receiving an extra boost this year in the form of the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment This is a one-off boost of £300 this year and will be paid with your Winter Fuel Payment.
How much will I get in total?
If you live alone (or with others who don't qualify)
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £500
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £600
If you 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
If you live with someone over 80 who also qualifies
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £250
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £300
If you live with someone who gets 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: £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)
If you live in a care home and do not get 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
What other help can I get?
If you are a pensioner on a low income, you might also be able to claim:
- Cold Weather Payment: A one-off payment to help with the cost of energy during the winter to make things a bit easier for those living on a low income or pension. You get the payment automatically if your electricity supplier is part of the Warm Home Discount scheme and you or your partner receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit. Warm Home Discount has risen to £150 this winter from £140 and is added as credit to your electricity account, usually between October and April.
- Cold Weather Payment: Extra money for people receiving certain benefits, such as Pension Credit, when there's very cold weather. You could get £25 each week the temperature falls to 0˚C or less for seven consecutive days between November 1 and March 31 each year.
Read more:
- Nine ways to cut the cost of using your tumble dryer this winter
- Tumble driers, radiators and heated airers: Work out the best way to get your laundry dry amid the energy crisis
- Households worry £400 energy vouchers will be delayed due to postal strikes
- Changes to Warm Homes grant mean some miss out this year - list in full of who is eligible
- The real cost of charging your phone overnight - and you might be surprised
- Thousands more to get £400 energy rebate including tenants who pay all-inclusive bills
