UK pensioners could be in line for a series of additional payments and energy bill assistance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before the year’s end. Two cash payments and one paid directly through energy suppliers are on offer.
However, due to recent changes in eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment, it has been warned that many people who received the winter fuel payment could miss out in 2024.
Around 10 million pensioners who previously received the £2-300 payment will miss out this year – because only those who claim Pensions Credit are now eligible.
These payments are not due to start arriving until November at the earliest, but it’s crucial to be aware of how much to expect and when – especially as eligibility typically includes a qualifying week.
Financial help this winter
- Warm Home Discount (£150) – paid directly from DWP to energy providers and usually added as credit to customer’s electricity account, for those on means-tested benefits
- DWP Christmas Bonus (£10) – issued by DWP to people on State Pension or certain benefits
Winter Fuel Payment – between £100 and £300
Financial assistance is available this winter through several schemes. The Winter Fuel Payment, worth between £100 and £300, is issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to those on means-tested benefits.
The Warm Home Discount (£150) is paid directly from DWP to energy providers and usually added as credit to the customer’s electricity account, for those on means-tested benefits. The DWP Christmas Bonus (£10) is issued by DWP to people on State Pension or certain benefits.
People over the State Pension age who received an income-related benefit such as Pension Credit during the qualifying week of September 16-22, 2024 will automatically receive a tax-free payment that won’t affect other benefits. In mid-October, letters will be sent to all pensioner households detailing the amount of Winter Fuel Payment they are entitled to, according to the Daily Record.
The amount received depends on age and household circumstances, but it’s worth noting that only those born before September 23, 1944, will receive the £300 payment. Most pensioners receive £200.
Eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment this year requires you to have been born before September 23, 1958, live in Scotland, England or Wales, and receive one of the following benefits. The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you receive varies depending on whether you live alone, with someone, or in a care home.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment this year if you were born before September 23, 1958. You must also live in Scotland, England or Wales and get one of the following benefits.
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit (for mixed age couples)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Tax Credits (with an annual award of at least £26)
Pension Credit, Universal Credit (for mixed age couples), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, and Tax Credits (with an annual award of at least £26) are all eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. In certain circumstances, those living abroad may also be eligible.
The amount you receive depends on your living situation.
How much Winter Fuel Payment you will receive
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 jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:
- £200 if both of you were 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 care 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
Warm Home Discount – £150
The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2024 to 2025 is now open across Great Britain and offers people on certain benefits a £150 reduction on their electricity bill. A full list of participating energy suppliers can be found here.
The scheme’s eligibility rules changed in 2022, meaning some people may no longer qualify and others might need to apply.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) directly pays energy suppliers between October and March. Households that qualify may also be able to get the discount off their gas bill if their supplier provides them with both gas and electricity.
All they need to do is contact their supplier once the scheme opens. If you’re a credit customer, the £150 will be added to your electricity account.
If you’re on Pay As You Go or Prepayment, you’ll receive a voucher that you can use to top-up your meter.
DWP Christmas Bonus – £10
The DWP Christmas Bonus is a one-off, tax-free £10 payment made to people receiving State Pension or certain other benefits during the qualifying week – usually the first full week of December. There’s no need to apply for the extra £10 as it should automatically go into the account where you usually receive your State Pension or benefit payment.
It’s made as a separate payment, independent of your scheduled State Pension or benefit payment, so it may arrive on a different day.
. Eligible benefits
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer Support Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) – launches October 21
- Pension Credit – the guarantee element
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
- War Widow’s Pension
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- Widow’s Pension
