The Department for Work and Pensions today made a key update for anyone wanting to claim the Winter Fuel Payment this year. The Labour government has come under fire after it axed the money which is worth up to £300 for millions of pensioners to save money, claiming the Tories left a £22 billion hole in the public finances.

Under the change about 10 million are to miss out with only the poorest who claim Pensions Credit eligible. People who think they should be getting the money can make a claim - but they can only do it after a certain date.

This morning the DWP has revealed that people can put their claim in for the £300 boost which is aimed at helping older people heat their homes this winter, from September 30, 2024. The DWP has clarified that people who are eligible have to be born before September 23, 1958, and in receipt of certain benefits.

People may be eligible if they or their partner get certain benefits. The must also live in England or Wales and get one of: Pension Credit,Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Child Tax Credit, or Working Tax Credit.

If you are eligible, you’ll normally get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically. However in some cases people who are eligible may be missed.

Claim by post

The DWP says You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by post - from 30 September 2024, and by phone - from 28 October 2024. To claim by post, you need to fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form for UK residents and send it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98

Claim by phone

Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to claim by phone.

Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Email enquiry form
Telephone: 0800 731 0160
Textphone: contact Relay UK on 18001 then 0800 731 0160
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Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
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