Thousands of people are eligible to claim a winter fuel payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help towards energy bills.
People get the allowance to help pay for gas and electric when they need it most during the colder months, with around £300 available. The DWP has released updated guidance for millions of older people who will receive an extra £300 one-off Pensioner Cost of Living Payment on top of their Winter Fuel Payment later this year - as The Daily Record reports.
The additional payment is to help people over State Pension age manage energy bills this winter as the UK faces a cost-of-living crisis. The payment is available from November 2022.
READ MORE: Households can expect to receive £650 Cost of Living Payment within weeks
The Winter Fuel Payment and the additional Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, is not taxable and does not affect eligibility for other benefits. However, the full amount of Winter Fuel Payment you will get for winter 2022 to 2023 depends on your circumstances.
People will be eligible for this payment if they are over State Pension age (aged 66 or above) between 19 - 25 September 2022. DWP has shared the new payment details, which includes the £300 payment and we have listed them below.
Winter Fuel Payment rates 2022/23
Amounts shown in all examples are the total payments.
You qualify and live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify)
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £500
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £600
You qualify and live with someone under 80 who also qualifies
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £250
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £350
You qualify and live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £250
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £300
You qualify and live with someone who gets certain benefits
Benefits - Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support.
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £500 - only one of you will get the payment
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £600 - only one of you will get the payment
You qualify, live in a care home and do not get certain benefits
Benefits - Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support
- Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £250
- Born on or before September 25, 1942: £300
There are certain circumstances where an individual above State Pension age does not qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment which can be found on GOV.UK, here.
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