Millions of people could be eligible for a £600 boost later this year with the government's Winter Fuel Payment. The Department of Work and Pensions has issued an update on when people will be able to claim for the bonus.
Those who are eligible for the Winter Fuel payment can get between £250 and £600 over the winter period to help with heating bills amid the ongoing cost of living crisis in the UK.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 25, 1957. You usually need to live in the UK, but you may be able to get the payment if you live abroad.
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People who claim benefits - including State Pension, Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and others - will get the payment automatically. But if you don't claim benefits, you may need to put a claim in yourself.
Most people who are eligible for the payment will get a letter during the autumn explaining how much they will get. If you think you are eligible and you do not receive a letter, you can check online if you need to make a claim.
The DWP has now confirmed that people will be able to make a claim for the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023/24 from September 18 later this year.
The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances during the ‘qualifying week’. The DWP has not yet confirmed what the qualifying week will be for 2023/24.
Like last year, this year's payment will include the Pensioner Cost of Living payment of between £150 and £300. The payments will likely be made in November or December, but the DWP is yet to confirm payment dates.
The Pensioner Cost of Living payment is one of three one-off payments being administered by the government to help vulnerable people pay their bills. People on means-tested benefits can get £900 this year - split into three instalments, the first of which started landing in bank accounts last month. The third Cost of Living payment is for people on disability benefits, who will be paid £150 during the summer.
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