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<\/p>\nHouseholds could be eligible for free money this winter without realising. <\/p>\n
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 \u00a31,923 this season, a whopping \u00a3134 higher than 2022.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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You can read more lifestyle stories from Daily Star here. <\/b><\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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 \u00a3150 or \u00a3300 this winter to assist with essential costs.<\/p>\n
It means eligible households could receive between \u00a3250 and \u00a3600 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 known as the "qualifying week".<\/p>\n
The deadline to make a claim for this winter is March 31, 2024.<\/p>\n
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If you receive any of the following:<\/p>\n
State Pension<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Pension Credit<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Attendance Allowance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Carers Allowance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Income Support<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Awards from the War Pensions Scheme<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Incapacity Benefit<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Industrial Death Benefit<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You can do it by post or over the phone. All details can be found on the GOV.UK website.<\/p>\n
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If you live alone, or no one in your household is eligible, you will receive:<\/p>\n
\u00a3500 if you were born between September 25, 1943, and September 24, 1957<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
\u00a3600 if you were born before September 25, 1943<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Your payment might differ if you get one of the following benefits:<\/p>\n