DWP issues update as £600 lands in bank accounts of 11 million Brits
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update as millions of people start to receive up to £600 in winter help.
The money is made up of the Winter Fuel Payment, which is worth up to £300 depending on your circumstances, and the £300 pensioner cost of living payment. If you get the Winter Fuel Payment, then you’ll receive the pensioner cost of living payment automatically as well.
This means some households will get up to £600 this winter - and the DWP has confirmed that payments have already started to be made. The money will show in your bank account with your National Insurance number followed by "DWP WFP" for people in Great Britain, or "DFC WFP" for people in Northern Ireland.
Most payments are being made automatically but there may be some incidences where you'll need to apply. You can see the full eligibility criteria below. Generally speaking, the Winter Fuel Payment is available to people born before September 25, 1957.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “We have delivered on our promise to halve inflation and will continue to support people right across the country, including pensioners who may be facing particular challenges over the colder months. As well as up to £600 to help our pensioners stay warm this winter, we’re boosting pensions through the Triple Lock – increasing the full rate of the New State Pension by over £900 next year.”
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Winter Fuel Payment explained
You may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this winter if you were born before September 25, 1957. You also need to have lived in the UK - although in some cases you can claim if you’ve moved abroad - for at least one day between September 18 to September 24, 2023.
This qualifying period changes every year but is normally the week beginning from the third Monday in September. Most people who receive the following benefits will get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically:
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)
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Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
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Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Incapacity Benefit
Industrial Death Benefit
You may need to apply if you don't receive these benefits, you’ve deferred your state pension, or you live abroad. If you do not live in the UK, you’re only able to get the Winter Fuel Payment if you moved to an eligible country before January 1, 2021, and you have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK.
You can find more information about how to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment on GOV.UK. The deadline for you to make a claim for is March 31, 2024.
There are certain circumstances where you won’t be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment. This includes if you:
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 week of 18 to 24 September, 2023
If you live in a care home, you won’t receive the payment if both the following apply:
You get Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
You lived in a care home for the whole time from June 26 to September 24, 2023
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