The Department for Work and Pensions will be helping millions of people this year with an extra cost of living support payment.
The DWP is set to send letters out to older residents to advise them if they are eligible for this year's winter fuel payment. It is given every year to help older people pay for their heating during the winter months when they heat their homes more often.
Both benefit claimants and those who don't receive benefits can qualify for the money, which is usually paid in November or December, reports Wales Online. Despite being significantly higher than bills were before the pandemic, Ofgem announced on Friday, August 25, that the energy price cap will be £1,923 for the three months beginning from October – down from £2,074.
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If you qualify, the amount you'll receive depends on your circumstances such as when you were born and who lives in your household. You can get a winter fuel payment if you were born before September 25, 1957. You usually need to live in the UK but in some circumstances you might be eligible if you live abroad. You will also get it if you live in a care home.
You will not be eligible if you have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year, if you need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds, or if you were in prison for the whole of the week of September 18 to 24, 2023.
How much do I get for the winter fuel payment?
The amount you get will depend on when you were born and your circumstances during the qualifying week between September 18 and September 24, 2023. This year the payment will include a pensioner cost of living payment of between £150 and £300 due to the cost of living crisis. The below amounts are what you will get including that additional payment.
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the winter fuel payment you will get:
- £500 if you were born between September 25, 1943, and September 24, 1957
- £600 if you were born before September 25, 1943
If you don't claim any benefits you could get:
- £250 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 25, 1943, and September 24, 1957
- £250 if you were born between September 25, 1943, and September 24, 1957, but the person you live with was born before September 25, 1943
- £350 if you were born before September 25, 1943, but the person you live with was born between September 25, 1943, and September 24, 1957
- £300 if you and the person you live with were both born before September 25, 1943
If you jointly claim benefits with your partner then one of you will get:
- £500 if both of you were born between September 25, 1943, and September 24, 1957
- £600 if one or both of you were born before September 25, 1943
Meanwhile if you receive a benefit that is not part of a joint claim then you will get:
- £500 if you were born between September 25, 1943, and September 24, 1957
- £600 if you were born before September 25, 1943
How will I get the money?
You should get the payment automatically if you are eligible and it is usually sent out in November or December. If you qualify you will get a letter in October or November confirming this.
In certain circumstances, such as if you haven't got the payment before, you may need to claim it. You can claim by post from September 18, 2023, or by phone from October 4, 2023. To claim by phone from that date call the winter fuel payment helpline on 0800 731 0160. You can find out more about how to claim here. To get all the latest money-saving news straight to your inbox twice a week sign up here.
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