The changes to winter fuel payment eligibility will affect around 1.5 million people over the course of the year. State pension age receiving a payment of £100, £200 or £300 this year to help them cope with rising heating bills during the colder months. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send letters to all retirees by the end of the month, detailing the policy change and how much they can expect to receive – if they are eligible for the lump sum.

Pensioners who receive means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit, Tax Credits (an annual allowance of at least £26) or Universal Credit (mixed couples only), on any day of the week of eligibility (September 16 to 22), will be eligible for a Winter fuel payment.

Eligible pensioners aged 66 to 79 will automatically receive a payment of £200 into their bank account, while those over 80 will receive £300. People aged over 80 living in care homes will receive £150, while those aged 66 to 79 will receive £100.

Some 10 million pensioners will miss out on payments this winter under Labour’s new eligibility criteria. The winter heating payment at retirement age is set to replace winter fuel payments for Scottish residents. However, the Scottish Government will not start paying this new devolved benefit until winter 2025/26.

Everything you need to know about paying for fuel in winter

People born before September 23, 1958 and receiving a qualifying income-related benefit such as Pension Credit during the week of September 16-22, 2024 will automatically receive a tax-free payment that will not affect other benefits. According to DWP advice on GOV.

United Kingdom, letters will be sent to eligible pensioner households in mid-October, detailing the amount of Winter fuel payment they will receive. Most eligible people will receive their payments in November or December, deposited into the bank account where their State pension or benefits are generally filed.

The new guidelines also state that if you do not receive a letter or the money has not been deposited into your account by January 29, 2025, you should contact Winter fuel payment Center. Eligibility for Winter fuel payment this year you must be born before September 23, 1958, live in Scotland, England or Wales and receive one of the benefits listed:

• Pension credit
• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income support
• Labor tax or child tax credits

In certain circumstances you may be eligible if you live abroad – find out more here.

When you will not be eligible

You will not be eligible if you:

How much payment for winter fuel you will receive

The amount of Winter fuel payment The amount you will receive varies depending on whether you live alone, with someone or in a care home.

If you live alone

You will get either:

• £200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
• £300 if you were born before September 23, 1944

If you live with someone

If you and your partner apply for one of the benefits jointly, one of you will receive either:

• £200 if you were both born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
• £300 if one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944

If you live in a retirement home

If you are eligible, you will get either:

• £100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
• £150 if you were born before September 23, 1944

If you do not receive any of the eligible means-tested benefits, you will need to apply if any of the following conditions apply. You can claim your Winter fuel payment by mail or by telephone.

The deadline to apply for winter 2024 to 2025 is March 31, 2025. Full eligibility and payment details are available on the website. Winter fuel payment section on GOV.UK here.

Pension credit

Pension Credit is currently available to almost 1.4 million older people in Britain, more than 125,000 of whom reside in Scotland. Some older people wrongly believe that having savings or owning a home disqualifies them from this means-tested benefit, which can also provide assistance with housing costs, Winter fuel paymentand housing tax.

Pension credit increases weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. This is a tax-free payment for those who qualify:

• have reached the age of eligibility for pension credit, which is State pension age, and
• live in Britain

Even a reward of just £1 a week can unlock additional support.

New pension credit applications submitted before 21 December 2024 and which are successful thereafter will also be eligible for a backdated application. Winter fuel payment. Indeed, requests can be backdated by up to three months, thus extending the right to the September reference week.

Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they can receive using the online pension credit calculator on GOV.UK. here.

Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a complaint by calling 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Expert help and advice is also available from: