HOUSEHOLDS should be aware of these exact dates to help figure out how much money they will get to help with energy bills this winter.
The Winter Fuel Payment is a state benefit paid once a year to pensioners to help cover the cost of heating during colder months.
The government handout was previously available to everyone aged above 66 and helped with pricey energy costs.
However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed earlier this year the cash would only be given to retirees on pension credit, or other means-tested benefits.
Those who qualify will receive a payment of either £200 or £300.
It is worth noting the amount you receive depends on the year you were born.
For example, if you live alone you will get £200 if you were born between September 23 1944 and September 22 1958.
But you will get £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944.
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:
For those who live with a partner or spouse of pension age, the individual amount is split between you.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said pensioners will get a letter in either October or November to inform them of how much Winter Fuel Payment they will get.
You will receive the Winter Fuel Payment if you are aged 66 or above and on any of the following benefits.
It is worth noting that around 800,000 older people risk missing out on the £300 Winter Fuel Payment because they have not first registered for Pension Credit.
The benefit is a weekly payment from the government to those over the state pension age who have an income below a certain level.
If your claim is successful then the benefit will top up your income to £218.15 a week if you are single, or £11,343.80 a year.
It will also give you access to the Winter Fuel Payment.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker explains all you need to know about the payment.
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free benefit designed to help cover the cost of heating through the colder months.
Most who are eligible receive the payment automatically.
Those who qualify are usually told via a letter sent in October or November each year.
If you do meet the criteria but don’t automatically get the Winter Fuel Payment, you will have to apply on the government’s website.
You’ll qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this winter if:
If you did not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you might still get the payment if both the following apply:
But there are exclusions – you can’t get the payment if you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain.
This is because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK.
You will also not qualify if you:
Payments are usually made between November and December, with some made up until the end of January the following year.
You will need to have been claiming Pension Credit in the ‘qualifying week’ of September 16 to 22, 2024.
But claims can be backdated by three months meaning you have until December 21 to make a claim and still get the Winter Fuel Payment.
If you want to check your eligibility then it is worth checking out our article here.
You can also find free-to-use online benefits calculators to work out what you’re entitled to.
For example, Age UK has an online calculator which helps you work out what benefits you could be entitled to including the Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Credit.
According to the site it takes 10 minutes to complete and you will need the following information:
The calculator is free to use and confidential.
The Sun has launched a Winter Fuel SOS campaign to help thousands of pensioners worried about their energy bills.
We want to hear from you by phone or email — and it’s fine if you are calling or messaging on behalf of a friend or relative.
Our panel includes former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb, pensions expert Baroness Ros Altmann and consumer champion Martyn James.
They will be joined by The Sun’s Head of Consumer Tara Evans and Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements.
And even if you aren’t eligible for the payment, our team will be sharing tips on how to switch energy providers and save money, get help if you’re in debt or simply need to save this winter.
Your cases will be considered by our panel, who will aim to give you advice within one week of your call or email.
Caroline Abrahams, of the charity Age UK, said: “People often think if you have some savings or a small pension there’s no point applying for Pension Credit, but that’s often not the case.
“Don’t be put off by the forms — Age UK can help.”
CALL 0800 028 1978 on WEDNESDAY or email winterfuelSOS@the-sun.co.uk
