The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to provide a helping hand to state pensioners born before a certain date with a free £200 payment to support them through the colder months. Those who qualify and meet the necessary criteria could receive a £200 boost from the DWP this winter.
Eligible OAPs born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958 will receive the £200 Winter Fuel Payment if they live alone. However, those born on or before 22 September 1944 could see an increased amount of £300, as outlined in the DWP's guidance.
Couples who jointly claim any benefits will be eligible for one payment: £200 if either partner was born within the specified September 1944 to September 1958 window, or £300 if either was born before 23 September 1944.
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Payments will be made directly into the same bank account where recipients normally receive their benefits. For those residing in care homes, the eligibility remains the same, with payments of £200 or £300 depending on the date of birth.
The Labour Party leadership's move to delay the debate and vote on cutting the winter fuel allowance has sparked controversy, with Unite's Andy Green calling it "an outrage". He commented: "This is simply an attempt to take out the debate on the winter fuel allowance. Today is economy day at conference and we have the chancellor speaking and a composite motion on the growth mission, which is scheduled for this morning."
A representative aired their frustration with the conference scheduling by stating: "So, it is more of a surprise, in fact an outrage, to us that the composite motion from Unite and the CWU on economy for the future is not listed on the agenda for today. It is disrespectful to our members and every single delegate here and conference itself, who voted for the priorities ballot."
Meanwhile, Lynne Morris, chairing the CAC, faced heckling and booing from some delegates as she attempted to explain: "This is a really busy conference and we are trying to accommodate as much as we can, and I'm going to take this back straight to CAC and I'll come back to you with an answer ASAP."
Eligible Winter Fuel Payment benefits
You can qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this year if you were born before 23rd September 1958 and live in Scotland, England, or Wales while receiving one of the specified benefits. In certain circumstances, you may be eligible even if you live abroad:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Working Tax or Child Tax Credits
When you won't be eligible
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You won't be eligible if:
Are not in receipt of one of the means-tested benefits listed above
- 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
- Were in prison for the whole of the qualifying week of September 16 to 22, 2024
How much Winter Fuel Payment you'll receive
If you live alone, you'll receive either:
- £200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £300 if you were born before September 23, 1944
If you live with someone and jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will receive a payment of either:
- £200 if both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £300 if one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944
If you live in a care home and are eligible, you'll receive either:
- £100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £150 if you were born before September 23, 1944
Check if you need to claim
If you don't receive any of the qualifying means-tested benefits, you'll need to claim if either of the following apply:
- You have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before
- You or your partner get Universal Credit
How to claim
You can claim your Winter Fuel Payment by:
- Post - from September 30, 2024
- Phone - from October 28, 2024
If you're on Universal Credit, you'll be informed how to claim through a message in your journal.
The deadline for winter 2024 to 2025 claims is set for March 31, 2025. Comprehensive information about eligibility and payments can be found on the Winter Fuel Payment section of the GOV.UK website.