To help with heating bills, the UK Government offers the winter fuel allowance. This initiative will support eligible people cover their heating costs with tax-free benefits to reduce the financial burden of higher energy prices.
DWP Winter Fuel Allowance
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced a series of one-off payments worth up to 367 pounds for the state pensioners in the UK under the winter fuel allowances. State Pensioners can expect these one-off payments worth up to 367 Pounds from the DWP into accounts no earlier than November. These payments are expected to be given to eligible individuals by Christmas.
Who Is Eligible for the Winter Fuel Allowance?
To qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance, you must meet the following criteria. The eligibility conditions are as follows –
- You must have been born on or before a specific date. For the winters of 2024-2025, This date is 25th September,1958.
- You must have lived in the United Kingdom for at least one day during the qualifying week. For the winter of 2024-2025, the qualifying week is 16-22 September 2024. Suppose you do not live in the United Kingdom during the qualifying week. In that case, you might still be eligible if you live in Switzerland or a European economic area country and have a genuine and sufficient link to the United Kingdom.
- If you receive pension credit, universal credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance or income-related employment and support allowance or an award of Child Tax credit or working tax credit of at least £26 for the tax year 2024-2025.
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What are the dates for the Winter Fuel allowance?
The Department for Work and Pension usually pays the Winter Fuel payment in November or December and most payments are made by Christmas. If you are eligible you will receive a letter in November or December that tells you how much you will get and which bank account it will be paid into. You can contact Winter Fuel payment Center if the payment has not been into your account by the following date. Here are some following dates-
- Application deadline for the pension credit – December 21, 2024
- Letter sent to eligible recipients – October or November
- Claim by post – Available from September 30, 2024
- Claim by phone – Available from October 28, 2024
How much is the amount of Winter fuel allowance?
The payment amount varies based on specific circumstances and living arrangements. Below are the details for the Winter fuel allowance are as follows-
For those who born on or before 25th September 1958-
- £250 if you live alone or if none of the people you live with qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.
- £250 if you live with someone under 80 who are qualifies.
- £250 if you live in a care home and do not receive certain benefits.
- £500 if you live with someone who is under 80 or over who also qualifies.
- £500 if you live with a partner who qualifies and for who of you gets certain benefits.
- £250 if you live with someone (not your partner) who qualifies and one of you gets certain benefits.
- £500 if you live in the care home and do not get certain benefits.
For those who born before 25th September 1944-
- £300 if you live alone or if none of the people you live with qualify for the winter fuel payment.
- £300 if you live with someone under 80 who also qualifies.
- £300 if you live in a care home and do not receive certain benefits.
- £600 if you live with someone who is 80 or over who also qualifies.
- £600 if you live with a partner who qualifies and one of you gets certain benefits.
- £600 if you live with someone (not your partner) who qualifies and one of you gets certain benefits.
- £600 if you live in a care home and do not get certain benefits.
Vishal is an education finance expert and advisor specializing in scholarships and financial literacy. With 15+ years’ experience, she guides students in making informed, strategic decisions to achieve academic funding success.