DWP explains 'three situations' which make you ineligible for free £300 payment

Recent changes by Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean the payment is limited to retirees on Pension Credit or those receiving certain six other means-tested benefits.

A full list of benefits which DON’T qualify for the £300 Winter Fuel Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) – and three situations which make you ineligible - have been revealed. Recent changes by Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean the payment is limited to retirees on Pension Credit or those receiving certain six other means-tested benefits.

Those claiming Housing Benefit without Pension Credit will not be due this year's £300. Households that only claim council tax reduction will also not qualify for a payment, and pensioners who claim child benefit to supplement their income while fostering or raising a child under 20 will also not qualify.

Housing Benefit is money to help you cover your rent if you're living on a low income. You can make a new claim for Housing Benefit if you're State Pension age or over. If you have a partner, you can only usually make a new claim for Housing Benefit when you both reach State Pension age.

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If you and your partner aren't State Pension age and you need help with paying your rent, you can only claim Housing Benefit if you live in supported, sheltered or temporary housing. Otherwise, you'll need to make a claim for Universal Credit instead.

Council Tax Reduction (also known as Council Tax Support) is a benefit to help people who are on a low income or claiming certain benefits to pay their Council Tax bill. You can make a claim whether you own your home or you're renting, and your employment status won't have an impact on your claim.

Only individuals claiming the following benefits will be eligible for a winter fuel payment this year: Pension credit, Universal Credit, Income support, Income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA), Income-related employment support allowance (ESA), Child tax credit and Working tax credit.