State pensioners wondering whether they will still get the £200 to £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year are being urged to check for a code on their bank statement.
Labour has chosen to change the Winter Fuel Payment system this year, getting rid of universal Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners and instead replacing it with means testing.
That means millions of pensioners who used to qualify for the benefits no longer will – but there are still seven benefits which will allow you to claim Winter Fuel Payments.
Those aged 66 or over will be able to get £200 Winter Fuel Payments, while those aged 80 or over will get the full £300.
The payment from this winter will be limited to only those on Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit.
You can check if you’re receiving the right benefits and will definitely get the payments this winter by looking at your bank statements.
There will be one of several codes on your statement if you do indeed qualify.
If you’re over state pension age and have seen any of these payment codes printed on your bank statement, then you will likely qualify and receive the Winter Fuel Payment:
DWP PC or DWP PCGC – this is Pension Credit, which means you will get the £300 Winter Fuel Payment.
Universal Credit’s code is DWP UC, while Income Related Employment and Support Allowance is DWP ESA on your bank statement.
Income based Jobseekers Allowance will appear as DWP JSA, while Income Support is DWP IS.
Child tax credit or working tax credit are issued via HMRC. For those, look for; HMRC CTC or HMRC WTC.
You need to have qualified by the end of the qualifying week, September 16 to 22 but there is a loophole if you claim Pension Credit.
Pension Credit can be backdated by three months, so you have until mid-December to put in a claim for Pension Credit and still get your £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year.
