As many will know by now, millions of state pensioners are losing their £300 winter fuel payment if they no longer claim a qualifying benefit, after the government’s decision to switch the payment to being means tested instead of universal.
But what many don’t realise is that even if you do qualify for the winter fuel payment this year, the exact amount you can get will change depending on the year you were born, and possibly on other circumstances too.
The winter fuel payment used to be paid automatically to all state pensioners but from now on, you need to be claiming a qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit, after the government changed the rules.
Those who are of state pension age but aged under 80, so born on or before September 22, 1958 and qualify will get a £200 payment, whereas those aged over 80 – so born September 23, 1944 or earlier – will get £300.
The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 16 and 22, 2024. This is called the ‘qualifying week’, although if you missed it, you can backdate Pension Credit claims until December, so it’s still available now.
This means that if you are now aged over 80 and qualify, your winter fuel payment will be increased from £200 to £300.
Most people who qualify will get a letter telling you how much you’ll get and which bank account this will be paid into – which is usually the same as your Pension Credit or other benefits.
Age UK said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
