Millions of state pensioners will lose their \u00a3300 winter fuel payment if they no longer claim a qualifying benefit.<\/p>\n
Many were losing out due to the government’s decision to switch the payment to being means tested instead of universal.<\/p>\n
However, even those who do qualify for the winter fuel payment this year, will see the amount vary.<\/p>\n
The payment will depend on the year the recipient was born, and possibly on other circumstances too, The Express<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n READ MORE: NatWest closing 25 branches in these areas as customers make ‘dramatic change’<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n All state pensioners previously received the winter fuel payment, but they now need to be claiming a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit, under the rule change.<\/p>\n Those who qualify and were of state pension age but aged under 80 – born on or before September 22, 1958 – will get a \u00a3200 payment.<\/p>\n People aged over 80 – so born September 22, 1944 or earlier – who qualify will get \u00a3300.<\/p>\n This means those aged over 80 who qualify will see their winter fuel payment increased from \u00a3200 to \u00a3300.<\/p>\n The amount received is based on when a person was born and their circumstances between September 15 and 21, 2025 – the ‘qualifying week’.<\/p>\n Most of those who qualify will get a letter telling them how much they’ll get and which bank account this will be paid into.<\/p>\n An Age UK spokesperson said: “If you or your partner claims Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, the payment should go to the main claimant of the benefit automatically.<\/p>\n “If you’ve never received a winter fuel payment before, or if you claim Universal Credit<\/a>, you might need to make a claim.<\/p>\n “And if you receive Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, you must make a claim.<\/p>\n