DWP Winter Fuel Payment alert as two groups of pensioners can now make new claim

Two groups of State Pensioners can now make a telephone claim for this year's Winter Fuel Payment, which ranges from £100 to £300, starting today (October 28). The amount received depends on the individual's age and household circumstances, with the maximum payment of £300 only being given to those born before September 23, 1944.

It's crucial to note that recent eligibility changes by the new Labour Government require recipients to be over 66 and also receiving a means-tested benefit, such as Pension Credit, Tax Credits (with an annual award of at least £26) or Universal Credit (if part of a mixed age couple), during the qualifying week of September 16-22. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will automatically make payments to approximately 1.5 million people throughout November and December.

This money is tax-free and won't affect other benefits. Nearly 13 million letters will be sent out by the end of November informing pensioners of the eligibility change and encouraging them to check if they qualify for Pension Credit.

Older individuals in England and Wales will receive the DWP letter this month, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland will receive theirs in November. GOV.UK guidance also states that telephone claims for this year's payment can be made from Monday, October 28 - postal claims opened on September 30, reports the Daily Record.

Who may need to claim a Winter Fuel Payment?

The guidance states that if you do not get any of the qualifying means-tested benefits, you need to claim if either of the following apply:

• You have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before - this may be because you have deferred claiming your State Pension
• You or your partner get Universal Credit

You can claim the 2024/25 Winter Fuel Payment by:

• Post
• Phone - from October 28, 2024

The deadline for Winter Fuel Payment claims for the year 2024/25 is set for March 31, 2025. According to official guidance, those who do not receive any qualifying means-tested benefits will need to make a claim if certain conditions apply.

If you are a Universal Credit recipient, instructions on how to claim will be provided in your journal. The guidance also advises that if you have not received a letter or payment by January 29, 2025, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

Winter Fuel Payment Eligibility

To qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this year, you must have been born before September 23, 1958, and be receiving a qualifying benefit. You must also reside in Scotland, England, or Wales.

Qualifying benefits include:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Working Tax Credits
• Child Tax Credits

In some cases, you may be eligible even if you live abroad. However, you will not be eligible if:

• 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
• were living in a care home for the whole time from June 24 to September 22, 2024

How much Winter Fuel Payment you could get

The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you will receive varies depending on your living situation.

If you live alone

You will get 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

If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get 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

If you are eligible you will get either:

• £100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
• £150 if you were born before September 23, 1944

Calls to change eligibility

Over 560,000 individuals have signed an online petition by Age UK, urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to ensure that Winter Fuel Payments are not means-tested. This would guarantee that all State Pensioners receive additional annual assistance with heating bills.

The 'Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners' petition warns that changes to eligibility could affect millions of older people who depend on this extra financial support to manage higher bills during winter. The petition is available for viewing, signing and sharing on the Age UK website.