The amount you get from the Winter Fuel Payment this year will change depending on the year you were born – and possibly on other circumstances too
It’s a well-known fact that state pensioners will lose their £300 Winter Fuel Payment this winter if they no longer claim a qualifying benefit. This follows the government’s decision to make the payment means-tested rather than universal. However, what many might not be aware of is that even if you do qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment this year, the exact amount you receive will vary depending on your birth year and possibly other circumstances as well.
Previously, the Winter Fuel Payment was automatically given to all state pensioners. However, starting this winter, you’ll need to be claiming a qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit due to changes in government rules. If you’re of state pension age but under 80, meaning you were born on or before September 22, 1958, and qualify, you’ll receive a £200 payment. On the other hand, those aged over 80 – born September 23, 1944 or earlier – will receive £300.
The amount you receive is determined by your birth date and your circumstances between 16 and 22 September 2024, known as the ‘qualifying week’. If you missed it, you can backdate Pension Credit claims until December, so it’s still available now, reports the Express. This implies that if you’re now over 80 and qualify, your Winter Fuel Payment will increase from £200 to £300.
Most qualifying individuals will receive a letter detailing how much they’ll get and into which bank account it will be paid – usually the same one as your Pension Credit or other benefits. Age UK has issued guidance on the Winter Fuel Payment, advising: “If you or your partner claims Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, the payment should go to the main claimant of the benefit automatically.”
The charity further explained, “If you’ve never received a Winter Fuel Payment before, or if you claim Universal Credit, you might need to make a claim. And if you receive Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, you must make a claim.” They also added: “You should receive your payment between mid-November and Christmas. Call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 if you have any enquiries or you don’t receive your payment.”
