Around 9 million pensioners will receive the payment across the country(Image: InYourArea)The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is giving millions of pensioners up to £300 this winter to help cover soaring heating bills. Around 9 million pensioners across the UK are due to receive the one off Winter Fuel payment later in the year, which will be automatically sent out to eligible individuals.
Between November and December, anyone born before September 22, 1959, may receive a payment between £100 and £300, depending on their age and circumstances.
Those under the age of 80 will receive £200, while those aged 80 and over will be granted £300. The support is part of a long-running Government scheme aimed at helping older people stay warm and well through winter, without having to worry as much about rising energy costs, the Express reports.
However, it comes after a dramatic U-turn decision on the grant in June following a decision to limit the Winter Fuel payment to only those who claimed pension credit.
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The £300 payment has since been restored to the vast majority of pensioners who previously received it. Pensioners must have an income of under £35,000 a year to get the payment automatically.
For couples, the Winter Fuel Payment this year will be a maximum of £300, but some couples may receive only £100 due to income thresholds.
The payment amount is determined by age and household composition, and those with higher incomes may have their payment recovered through the tax system.
No application is needed for most recipients, as the payment will be transferred automatically to their bank accounts according to the DWP.
According to Birmingham Live, approximately 11.6 million people received the Winter Fuel Payment during the 2023–2024 season, marking an increase of over 200,000 recipients compared to the previous year.
The number is set to rise again as new eligibility rules come into effect, extending the payment to millions who were previously excluded.
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For pensioners living on fixed incomes, the reinstated support could provide much-needed stability in the face of high energy bills and continued cost-of-living pressures.
As temperatures drop and energy demands increase, the Winter Fuel Payment will be a lifeline to many households navigating the financial challenges of the colder months.