Exact code to spot when £600 cost of living cash lands in YOUR bank account as 11.5million start getting payments NOW

MILLIONS of households are starting to get cost of living payments worth up to £600 directly into bank accounts.

The free cash is separate from the £900 cost of living payment for those on Universal Credit and other legacy benefits.

Pensioners are already starting to receive a Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £600Credit: Getty

Instead 11.5million households are eligible for a boosted Winter Fuel Payment.

The payment is usually worth between £100 and £300 for those over state pension age.

But payments are being boosted by a further £300 through the “pensioner cost of living” payment.

The money will appear in bank statements with the payment reference starting with the customer’s National Insurance number followed by “DWP WFP” for people in Great Britain.

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But to secure the cash, some households will need to apply for the support at Gov.UK.

The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2023 to 2024 is March 31, 2024.

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.”

Here’s everything you need to know about the cost of living support.

Who is eligible for the additional £300 this winter?

To qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, the following must apply:

You were born on or before September 25, 1957
You lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 18 to 24 September 2023 – this is called the ‘qualifying week’

If you did not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you might still get the payment if both of the following apply:

You live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area (EEA) country
You have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK – this can include having lived or worked in the UK, and having family in the UK

You cannot get the payment if you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK.

You won’t get the payment if you are in hospital for more then a year getting free treatment and in some other circumstances.

To find out more about who is eligible visit Gov.UK.

Do I need to apply for the payment?

You generally do not need to claim Winter Fuel Payment – you’ll get it automatically if you’re eligible.

If you have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before, you only need to claim if any of the following apply:

You do not get benefits or the State Pension
The only benefit you get is Adult Disability Payment from the Scottish Government, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit
You live in Switzerland or an EEA country

If you have had a winter fuel payment before, you only need to claim if since your last payment you have either:

Deferred your State Pension
Moved to Switzerland or an EEA country

If you do need to claim you can do so by phone or by post.

How much will I get?

We’ve also added a breakdown of the Winter Fuel Payment rates for 2023-2024, which varies depending on your circumstances.

We’ve listed who will get what, according to the government.

Remember this includes your extra £300 boost.

You qualify and live alone – £500 to £600
You qualify alongside someone you live with who is under 80 and also qualifies – £250 to £350
You qualify and live with someone over 80 who also qualifies – £250 to £300
If either you or your partner also receives benefits – £500 to £600 (this amount is the same if someone you live with who isn’t your partner receives certain benefits)
If you qualify but live in a care home and don’t get benefits – £250 to £300

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk