- The government’s winter fuel payment is worth between £100 and £300
- Many people who receive this also receive pensioner living expenses
Millions of pensioners will receive £600 in government support payments on their energy bills from today.
The government said the scheme will help around 11.5 million pensioners for the second year running.
The first payout, Winter Fuel Payment, has a value between €100 and €300. Many people who receive this will also receive a pensioner’s living allowance, worth an additional £150 to £300.
The government said the scheme will help around 11.5 million pensioners for the second year running
The payments will be a lifeline for many needy households currently struggling with an average energy bill of £1,834 per year.
The Department for Work and Pensions said winter fuel payments will start hitting bank accounts automatically over the next two months, the vast majority automatically.
Below you can find out how to check your eligibility.
Are you eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment?
Those born before September 25, 1957 are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, which can give them between £250 and £600 to help with their heating costs.
Eligible households should have already received confirmation letters in October or November.
However, if you haven’t received a letter but think you might qualify, you’ll need to file a claim to get the money. You can register for this by post or telephone.
You must also have lived in Britain for at least the week of September 18 to 24, 2023 to be eligible, known as the ‘qualifying week’.
However, if you are not living in the country that week, you may still be eligible if you both live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area country and have a ‘genuine and sufficient’ link with Britain.
Examples of a real connection could be that there are relatives in the country or that they have lived or worked there.
You are not eligible for the benefit if you are in hospital for more than a year and receive free treatment.
If you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain you will not be eligible for the payment as the average temperatures at that time of year are higher than the warmest part of Britain.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: ‘We have delivered on our promise to halve inflation and will continue to support people across the country, including pensioners who may face particular challenges during the colder months.’
How the cost of living payment for retirees works
Anyone who receives the winter fuel payment should automatically receive the retiree cost of living payment.
Those who qualify should be paid in November or December. If you think you are eligible but have not received the payment by January 26, 2024, please call the Winter Fuel Payment Center on 0800 731 0160.
The amount of the Winter Fuel Payment varies depending on your age, who you live with or if you claim any of the following benefits:
- Pension credit
- Income-related jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income support
Including the ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’, the amounts paid out are as follows:
| Which of these situations apply to you: | Amount you get paid |
|---|---|
| If you live alone or if you do not live together, you are eligible for the winter fuel payment | |
| You were born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957 | £500 |
| You were born before September 25, 1943 | £600 |
| If you live with someone else who is eligifor the winter fuel payment and you will not receive any of the benefits mentioned above | |
| You and the person you live with were both born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957 | £250 |
| You were born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957, but the person you live with was born before September 25, 1943 | £250 |
| You were born before September 25, 1943, but the person you live with was born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957 | £350 |
| You and the person you live with were both born before September 25, 1943 | £300 |
| If you live with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment and you and your partner are jointly entitled to one of the benefits mentioned above | |
| You were both born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957 | £500 |
| One or both were born before September 25, 1943 | £600 |
| If you live with someone else who is eligible for the winter fuel payment and you receive any of the benefits listed above (not as part of a joint claim) | |
| You were born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957 | £500 |
| You were born before September 25, 1943 | £600 |
| If you live in a care home and qualify for this | |
| You were born between September 25, 1943 and September 24, 1957 | £250 |
| You were born before September 25, 1943 | £300 |