State pensioners born before certain date waking up to free £200 from DWP

Thousands of pensioners will wake up to a free £200 payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as part of the Winter Fuel Payment scheme. Individuals born before September 22, 1958, who also receive benefits such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Income Support, will be eligible for the money.

You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958. You must also live in England or Wales and get one of the following: Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit.

You’ll also need to have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024. You will not be eligible if you live in Scotland or have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year or were in prison for the whole of the week of 16 to 22 September 2024 or were living in a care home for the whole time from 24 June to 22 September 2024.

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If you live in Scotland, you might be eligible for a similar payment from the Scottish Government. This will be paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The government explained: "You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible.

"If you do not get a letter but think you are eligible, check if you need to make a claim. The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 16 and 22 September 2024. This is called the ‘qualifying week’."

The eligibility criteria adds: "Any money you get is tax-free and will not affect your other benefits." Most payments are made automatically in November or December. ou’ll get a letter telling you how much you’ll get and which bank account it will be paid into - this is usually the same account as your Pension Credit or other benefits.

If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 29 January 2025, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.