close
close
darbo

Older Britons urged to use the DWP Winter Fuel Payment hotline from next week

Posted on by Nargang
Older Britons urged to use the DWP Winter Fuel Payment hotline from next week

The Department for Work and Pensions will automatically make payments to around 1.5 million people

News

Linda Howard and William Morgan Senior reporter

02:24, 27 October 2024

State pensioners who lost their winter fuel payment were given a free £120 'voucher'
Pensioners could receive up to £300 this winter if they meet the new eligibility criteria

From next week, two groups of pensioners will be able to provide telephone support for energy bill claims in the coming months, via Winter fuel payment system. This can provide between £100 and £300 at a difficult time of year, although the amount depends on age and circumstances, with only those born before 23 September 1944 receiving a maximum of £300.

It’s also important to remember that recent eligibility changes brought in by the new government mean that only over-66s who receive a benefit such as pension credit, tax credits (with an annual premium of at least £26 sterling) or universal credit (if they are part of a mixed-age couple) may qualify. But despite the stricter criteria, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is still set to automatically make payments to around 1.5 million people, with many already receiving letters about the scheme.

‌

This money is tax-free and won’t affect other benefits, but many are still not claiming it, with almost 13 million letters sent to the end of November to encourage them to check whether they are entitled to Pension Credit. Older people in England and Wales will receive the DWP letter this month, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland will receive one in November, reports Daily recording.

READ MORE: DWP Universal Credit claimants can get £812 loan if caught short this winter

The guidance also advises that people can make a phone request for this year’s payment from Monday 28 October – postal applications open 30 September.

‌

Who may need to claim a winter fuel payment?

An elderly woman wearing winter clothes and a scarf adjusts a heating thermostat
Millions of pensioners qualify for the winter fuel payment but don’t claim it, but it’s not too late to apply(Image: Getty Images )

The guidance states that if you do not get any of the eligible means-tested benefits, you must claim if any of the following apply:

  • You haven’t received your winter fuel payment – this may be because you’ve put off claiming your state pension
  • You or your partner are on Universal Credit

‌

You can claim your fuel payment for winter 2024/25 by:

  • Post
  • Phone – from October 28, 2024

If you get Universal Credit, you will be told how to claim in a log message.

‌

The guidance also states that if you do not receive a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 29 January 2025, contact Winter Fuel Payment Center.

Below is a quick overview of this year’s eligibility, full details can be found on GOV.UK Here.

Eligibility for winter fuel payment

You can get a winter fuel payment this year if you were born before 23 September 1958 and received an eligible benefit.

‌

You must also live in Scotland, England or Wales and obtain one of the following:

  • Pension credit
  • Universal credit
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income support
  • Work tax credits
  • Child tax credits

In some circumstances you may be eligible if you live abroad – find out more Here.

‌

When you will not be eligible

You will not be eligible if:

  • They have been hospitalized for free treatment for more than a year
  • You need permission to enter the UK and the leave granted says you cannot apply for public funds
  • They were in jail for the entire qualifying week from September 16 to 22, 2024
  • lived in a care home for the whole time from 24 June to 22 September 2024

How much you will receive your winter fuel payment

If you live alone

You will get either:

‌

  • £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958
  • £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944

If you live with someone

If you and your partner claim any of the benefits together, one of you will receive a payment:

  • £200 if you are both born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958
  • £300 if one or both of you were born before 23 September 1944

‌

If you live in a care home

If you are eligible, you will receive either:

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

Online petition

More than 560,000 people have signed an online petition created by Age Great Britain urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves not to make winter fuel payments means-tested to ensure all state pensioners get extra help with their annual heating bill.

‌

The ‘Save winter fuel payment for struggling pensioners’ petition warns the eligibility change will affect millions of older people who rely on Extra Financial Support to help cover the cost of higher bills in the winter months.

The petition can be viewed, signed and shared on the Age UK website Here.

Pension credit

Almost 1.4 million older people in the UK, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, currently receive the means-tested benefit, which could provide an average of £3,900 in support over the next year. However, the latest figures from the DWP suggest a further 760,000 eligible pensioners are not claiming the benefit they are entitled to.

‌

Some older people believe that because they have savings or own their home, they would not be eligible for means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, winter fuel payments and council tax .

Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum of £218.15 a week for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. It’s a tax-free payment for those who:

  • have reached pension credit qualifying age, which is state pension age and
  • I live in the UK

‌

A reward of just £1 per week is enough to unlock another support.

The fastest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit

Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they could get using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK Here.

Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit Helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

‌

Expert help and advice is also available from:

Pension Credit boosts income to a minimum of £218.15 a week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples – more if one person has a disability or caring responsibilities.