Winter Fuel Payment will be increased for people born in these years (Image: Getty)
Millions of state pensioners are being forced to make do without their £300 this winter, as has been well publicised since the government announced the benefit will become means tested.
It means for the vast majority of state pensioners, they will no longer be able to get a £300 payment if they don’t claim a qualifying benefit.
But what many don’t realise is that even if you do qualify for the this winter, the exact amount you get will change depending on the year you were born, and possibly on other circumstances too.
The used to be paid automatically to all state pensioners but from this winter onwards, you will need to be claiming a qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit, after the government changed the rules.
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Those who are of age but aged under 80, so born on or before September 22, 1958, and qualify, will get a £200 payment, whereas those aged over 80 – so born September 23, 1944, or earlier – will get £300.
The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 16 and 22 September 2024. This is called the ‘qualifying week’, although if you missed it, you can backdate Pension Credit claims until December, so it’s still available now.
This means that if you are now aged over 80 and qualify, your will be increased from £200 to £300.
Most people who qualify will get a letter telling you how much you’ll get and which bank account this will be paid into – which is usually the same as your Pension Credit or other benefits in spring.
Age UK 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.
“You should receive your payment between mid-November and Christmas. Call the helpline on 0800 731 0160 if you have any enquiries or you don’t receive your payment.”