Households could be eligible for free money this winter without realising.
It's believed an estimated 12.4million people in the UK are entitled to claim the Winter Fuel Payment this year. The scheme comes as the annual energy bill is estimated at £1,923 this season, a whopping £134 higher than 2022.
Now sustainable energy experts at L&R Renewables shared an insight into the government payment. The help is available for pensioners as the cold months are approaching.
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According to GOV.UK, around 12.4m people in the UK could receive a one-off payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to support them this winter.
Applications for the DWP cost of living support are open but many Brits might not be aware of the help. People eligible will also receive an extra £150 or £300 this winter to assist with essential costs.
It means eligible households could receive between £250 and £600 to offset higher heating costs. Last year, elderly people in the East of England received around 1.1m payments, while more than 1.6m were paid in the South East.
Who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment?
Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically into the bank accounts of eligible people over State Pension age, so most people will not need to apply for it.
You will need to claim if you've never received the Winter Fuel Payment before, you live abroad, or you've deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment.
To be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you must have been born before September 25, 1957, and lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of September 18-24, 2023 – known as the "qualifying week".
The deadline to make a claim for this winter is March 31, 2024.
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Who doesn't need to make a claim?
If you receive any of the following:
State Pension
Pension Credit
Attendance Allowance
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Carers Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Income Support
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Awards from the War Pensions Scheme
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Incapacity Benefit
Industrial Death Benefit
How can I make a claim?
You can do it by post or over the phone. All details can be found on the GOV.UK website.
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How much will I be paid?
If you live alone, or no one in your household is eligible, you will receive:
£500 if you were born between September 25, 1943, and September 24, 1957
£600 if you were born before September 25, 1943
Your payment might differ if you get one of the following benefits:
Pension Credit
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
If you live with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you will get a payment of either:
£500 if both of you were born between September 25, 1943, and September 24, 1957
£600 if one or both of you were born before September 25, 1943
When will I be paid?
Most payments will be made between November and December. If you don't get a letter or receive the payment by January 26, 2024, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
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