When is Winter Fuel Payment paid by DWP? Everything you need to know about £300 support

Winter Fuel Payments are worth up to £300 and this extra help will soon land in bank accounts of those who are eligible.

But around ten million pensioners will miss out on a this year after a major shake-up by Labour Chancellor . Winter Fuel Payments used to be available to everyone over state pension age - but now, you must be in receipt of means-tested benefits, including .

Charities have urged the Labour Government to reconsider this change, which the political party says it has been forced to do after being left a £22billion fiscal black hole by the Conservatives. If you're still eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, we explain exactly when you can expect to money to be sent.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Who is eligible for Winter Fuel Payment?

In order to be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this year, you must have been born before September 23, 1958 and claiming one of the following benefits between September 16 and September 22, 2024:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Pension Credit

• Universal Credit

It is possible to still be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment even if you weren't claiming one of these benefits during the qualifying week. Pension Credit claims can be backdated by three months, which means you have until December 21 to apply and still be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment.

How do I know if I'm due to receive a Winter Fuel Payment?

If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in October or November saying how much you’ll get. Don't panic if you don't receive a letter next month - it can take a bit longer. The DWP advises to wait until January 29, 2025, before about a missing payment.

When will my Winter Fuel Payment be paid?

Most payments are made automatically in November or December. But again, it can take longer than this - and you should wait until January 29, 2025, before contacting the DWP about a missing payment.

How much is a Winter Fuel Payment worth?

How much the Winter Fuel Payment is worth all depends on your age and living arrangements. If you're eligible, you'll get £200 if:

• You live alone and you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958

• You live with someone and one or both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958

You'll get a £300 Winter Fuel Payment if:

• You live alone and you were born before September 23, 1944

• You live with someone and one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944

Are there some circumstances where I won't be eligible?

You won't be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if you lived in a care home for the whole time from June 24 to September 22, 2024. You can still be eligible if you live in a care home on a temporary basis, which is less than 13 weeks by the end of the qualifying period.

You also won't be eligible if you've been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year, if you needed permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds, or if you are in prison for the whole of the week of September 16 to September 22, 2024.

If you live abroad, you'll need to make a claim for a Winter Fuel Payment You must have moved to an eligible EEA country or Switzerland before December 31, 2020 and be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, to get a Winter Fuel Payment. As well as getting the UK state pension, you must also be getting a qualifying benefit from the country you live in. Finally, must have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK.

READ MORE: