Winter fuel payment dates revealed – will you get a £600 allowance to help with heating bills?

MILLIONS of households are entitled to a winter fuel payment worth up to £600.

If you were born before September 25, 1957, you could see the tax-free cash hit your bank account next month.

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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.

Payments will start from this date and should be complete by the end of December.

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.

However some households will need to apply for the support to secure the cash.

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