Millions of people across the UK are eligible for a slice of the government's £4.6 billion pot to support older people during the cost of living crisis in the form of Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments. Now the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the final date by which Winter Fuel Payments will arrive in bank accounts.
A whopping 11.6 million older people have already received the cash boost, worth up to £600 per household, those eligible but still waiting for the money to drop into their accounts should find the figure in their bank account by January.
The money is designed to help eligible people across the UK with the soaring cost of energy bills and other household costs over the cold winter months. The recent cold snap has meant many household budgets will have been squeezed further as heating has had to be turned on longer to keep an even temperature in homes.
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UK Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride was reported by Daily Record as saying: “As the cold weather bites, it is good to be able to confirm that over 99% of eligible pensioners have already received as much as £600 to help with their energy bills this winter. These payments are just one part of the wider support package we are delivering to help with rising bills, with additional help to follow next year, including the biggest State Pension increase in history.”
Payments will appear on bank statements with the reference beginning with the customer’s National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP WFP’.
The payment should be made automatically, so you don't need to do anything or apply for the extra cash, if the money hasn't appeared in your account yet it should be there between now and January. However, if you are of State Pension age and haven't received your payment by Friday, January 13, 2023, the DWP says you should get in touch. Contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre online (just click here to be taken straight to the government's website where there is an email enquiry form) visit www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment or phone 0800 731 0160.
The DWP urges those waiting for the cash to wait until after January 13 to get in touch if you are missing a payment, however, if you need to get in touch for any other reason before then, be aware that the Winter Fuel Payment Centre will be closed for calls on:
- Monday 26 December 2022
- Tuesday 27 December 2022
- Wednesday 28 December 2022
- Monday 2 January 2023
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