DWP Winter Fuel Payment alert as two groups of pensioners can now make new claim

Starting on Monday, October 28, two groups of State Pensioners can now make a telephone claim for this year's Winter Fuel Payment, which ranges from £100 to £300. The amount received is dependent on the individual's age and household circumstances, with the maximum payment of £300 only being given to those born before September 23, 1944.

It's important to note that recent eligibility changes by the new Labour Government require recipients to be over 66 and also receiving a means-tested benefit, such as Pension Credit, Tax Credits (with an annual award of at least £26) or Universal Credit (if part of a mixed age couple), during the qualifying week of September 16-22. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will automatically make payments to approximately 1.5 million people throughout November and December, reports the Manchester Evening News..

This money is tax-free and won't affect other benefits. Nearly 13 million letters will be sent out by the end of November informing pensioners of the eligibility change and encouraging them to check if they qualify for Pension Credit.

Older individuals in England and Wales will receive the DWP letter this month, while those in Scotland and Northern Ireland will receive theirs in November. GOV.UK guidance also states that telephone claims for this year's payment can be made from Monday, October 28 - postal claims opened on September 30, reports the Daily Record. Who may need to claim a Winter Fuel Payment?

The guidance states that if you do not get any of the qualifying means-tested benefits, you need to claim if either of the following apply:

• You have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before - this may be because you have deferred claiming your State Pension
• You or your partner get Universal Credit

You can claim the 2024/25 Winter Fuel Payment by following the instructions provided.

• Post
• Phone - from October 28, 2024

The deadline for claims for the year 2024/25 is March 31, 2025. If you're a Universal Credit recipient, instructions on how to claim will be provided in your journal.

The guidance also advises that if you haven't received a letter or payment by January 29, 2025, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

To qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this year, you must have been born before September 23, 1958, and be receiving a qualifying benefit. You must also live in Scotland, England, or Wales.

Qualifying benefits include:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Working Tax Credits
• Child Tax Credits

In some cases, you may be eligible even if you live abroad. However, you will not be eligible if:

• Have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
• Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
• Were in prison for the whole of the qualifying week of September 16 to 22, 2024
• were living in a care home for the whole time from June 24 to September 22, 2024

The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you could receive varies depending on your living situation. If you live alone, you'll get either one of two amounts specified in the guidance.

• £200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
• £300 if you were born before September 23, 1944

If you live with someone and you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either one of two amounts specified in the guidance.

£200 if both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
£300 if one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944

If you live in a care home and are eligible, you'll get either one of two amounts specified in the guidance.

• £100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
• £150 if you were born before September 23, 1944

There have been calls to change the eligibility criteria.

An online petition by Age UK has garnered over 560,000 signatures, calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to ensure that Winter Fuel Payments are not means-tested. This would ensure all State Pensioners receive additional annual help with heating bills.

The 'Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners' petition cautions that changes to eligibility could impact millions of older people who rely on this extra financial aid to handle higher bills during winter. The petition can be viewed, signed and shared via the Age UK website.