MILLIONS of households are eligible for a £600 payment direct to their bank accounts this winter.
Those who qualify for the winter fuel payment will automatically become eligible for a £300 top-up.
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It is separate from the £900 cost of living payment for those on Universal Credit and other legacy benefits.
The winter fuel 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 cash boost is set to be distributed with the usual Winter Fuel Payments from November 1.
Most people are paid in November and December but if you have not received it by January 26, 2024 you’ll need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
You can do this by calling 0800 731 0160.
But to secure the cash, some households will need to apply for the support.
Postal applications opened today and applications by phone will open from October 4.
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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
