Millions of people began receiving up to £600 to help with energy bills at the end of last month, with some payments still yet to be made.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that 11.6million Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments, a support package worth a total of £4.6billion, have already been made to older people across the UK. DWP also said that the vast majority of these payments, worth up to £600 per household, have landed in pensioners’ bank accounts automatically, directly helping people manage their energy bills and household budgets this winter.
Payments appear on bank statements with the reference beginning with the customer’s National Insurance number followed by "‘DWP WFP", the Daily Record reports.
READ MORE: DWP full list of money being paid out at Christmas 2022 to help with bills and food
Some people of State Pension age have not yet received the cash, but the DWP has said payments will continue into January and that people should not worry. However, those who have not received their payments by January 13, 2023, should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre online here or by phoning 0800 731 0160.
UK Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “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.”
DWP said that the overwhelming majority of Winter Fuel Payments are paid automatically but some people need to make a claim, such as those who qualify but do not receive benefits or the State Pension and have never previously received a Winter Fuel Payment. Those who need to make a claim have until March 31, 2023 to do so - full details on how to do this can be fond on GOV.UK here.
Winter Fuel Payments are boosted this year by an additional £300 per household Pensioner Cost of Living payment as part of an extensive UK Government package helping people of all ages with the cost of heating their homes over the colder months.
This includes providing households with £400 towards their energy bills, with the UK Government’s £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee saving the typical household another £900 on top of this.
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