Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced last week that millions of people and households across the country will receive extra support from the UK Government to help them cope with soaring inflation, increasing energy bills and the rising cost of living.
A series of one-off payments were unveiled to help people through the crisis including those on a low-income, the disabled and vulnerable households. The £200 energy bill levy was also increased to £400 and turned into a non-repayable grant for all domestic customers.
The Chancellor’s £15 billion support package also includes support payments of £300 for over eight million of the 12.4 million pensioner household population across the UK.
All pensioner households in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment will receive an extra £300 to help them cover the rising cost of energy this winter.
Winter Fuel Payment is paid automatically each year to men and women born on or before September 16, 1955 you do not need to claim it.
You will get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically if you’re eligible and either:
- Get the State Pension
- Get another social security benefit - not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit
The UK Government said: “Pensioners are disproportionately impacted by higher energy costs, and many low-income pensioner households do not claim the means-tested benefits they are entitled to.
“This payment will go to the over 8 million pensioner households who receive the Winter Fuel Payment.”
The ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’ will come as a top-up to annual Winter Fuel Payments in November and December.
It will be paid on top of any other one-off support a pensioner household is entitled to, for example where they are on Pension Credit or receive disability benefits.
Eligible households currently receive between £200 - £300 for the Winter Fuel Payment, so the payment will represent at least double the support for this winter.
For most pensioner households, this will be paid by direct debit.
Who will be eligible for the payment?
People will be eligible for the £300 payment if they are over State Pension age (aged 66 or above) between 19 - 25 September 2022 - known as the 'qualifying week' for Winter Fuel Benefit.
However, there are certain circumstances where an individual above State Pension age does not qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment which can be found here on GOV.UK.
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