DWP handing out £185 to help pay fuel bills after Winter Fuel Payment axed

Thousands of people who are no longer eligible for Winter Fuel Payments could still get extra financial help before the end of the year. More than 10 million pensioners across the UK will miss out on Winter Fuel Payments this year following the Labour Government's announcement that the annual heating bill help will now only be available to those claiming means-tested benefits.

Previously, it was available to everyone over state pension age. However state pensioners could still get financial help through other means, reports MirrorOnline.

That includes the Warm House Discount worth £150. And the arrival of the Christmas £10 bonus - although significantly less - will still help to top-up bank accounts.

READ MORE: DWP issuing £3,900 payments to households in eight days

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Warm Home Discount - £150 paid to energy provider

The Warm Home Discount Scheme hands people on certain benefits £150 off their electricity bill. The scheme eligibility rules changed in 2022, which means some people may no longer qualify and others might need to make an application as they will not receive the discount directly.

The money is paid directly by the DWP to energy suppliers between October and March. Eligible households may also be able to get the discount off their gas bill instead - if their supplier provides them with both gas and electricity, just contact them once the scheme opens to find out.

If you're a credit customer the £150 will be added to your electricity account and if you're on Pay As You Go or Prepayment, you'll be sent a voucher that you can use to top-up your meter. Below is an overview of the scheme and the rules on eligibility.

DWP Christmas Bonus - £10

The bonus is a one-off, tax-free £10 payment made to people in receipt of state pension or those claiming certain other benefits. Nobody needs to apply for the extra £10 as it should automatically go into the account where you usually receive your state pension or benefit payment. It is made as a separate payment, independent of your scheduled state pension or benefit payment, so it may arrive on a different day.

Cold Weather Payment - £25

The Cold Weather Payment is issued to struggling households when the temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below for seven consecutive days. Households will receive £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31.