Thousands to get extra £300 cost of living payments on these key dates over winter

This year, the Winter Fuel Payment has undergone significant changes as Labour announced in July that it needed to address a £22 billion deficit in Britain's finances. The allowance is now means-tested and only available to low-income households claiming specific benefits.

Previously, the payment was given to everyone of State Pension age. However, it is now limited to older individuals who receive the income supplement Pension Credit or live in a mixed-age household where their younger partner receives a working-age means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.

It's crucial to remember that there is a cut-off point for being of pension age, which was during a qualifying week in September. This year, that was from September 16 to 22, so if you turned 66 on or after September 23, you won't qualify this time and will have to wait until next winter to be considered.

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This year's new restrictions mean 10 million people who receive a State Pension and no means-tested benefits will be excluded from the fuel allowance. Most of those who will qualify for the support are on Pension Credit and the DWP is encouraging more people to apply for this benefit as they'd then get their Winter Fuel Payment reinstated if their claim is successful.

The majority of those eligible for the new version of the scheme should receive their fuel allowance by the end of this year. However, there are various dates and timeframes to keep in mind.

We've compiled a handy guide to all the key dates for the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

Here's the full list of key dates for Winter Fuel Payment 2024-2025:.

June 24-September 22, 2024: If you were in a care home for the entirety of this three-month period, you will not qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.

September 16-24, 2024: This was the qualifying week when someone must be at least State Pension age, meaning you must have been born before September 23, 1958. You must also have been entitled to one of the eligible benefits during this week.

If you were in prison during this week or have been in hospital receiving free treatment for more than a year, you won't qualify for the payment.

September 30, 2024: If you live overseas in one of the countries that's eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, this was the start date for making a claim for it by post by downloading and completing a form called IPCF091 from this GOV. UK webpage.

October 28, 2024: If you live overseas in a country that's eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, this was the start date for making a claim by phone on +44 (0)191 218 7777.

Between November and December 2024: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) advises that "most" of the Winter Fuel Payments for the year will be transferred into accounts. Beneficiaries should expect to receive a letter beforehand to confirm the amount they'll get, whether £200 or £300, which will typically be deposited into the same bank account as their Pension Credit or other benefits.

If by January 29, 2025, you haven't received the letter or the money hasn't hit your account, it's advised to ring up the Winter Fuel Payment Centre at 0800 731 0160.

For pensioners residing overseas, remember the deadline to lodge your claim for this winter's fuel allowance is March 31, 2025 – don't miss the cutoff date for the scheme.

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