It’s been well documented that millions of state pensioners have lost their £300 this winter, if they no longer claim a qualifying benefit, after the government decided to switch the payment to being means tested instead of universal.
But what many don’t realise is that even if you do qualify for the this year, 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 now you need to be claiming a qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit.
Winter Fuel Payments will be increased automatically by £100 for some pensioners (Image: Getty)
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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’.
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.
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.
Winter Fuel Payment will be increased for people born in these years (Image: Getty)
“If you’ve never received a before, or if you claim Universal Credit, you might need to make a claim. And if you receive Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, you must make a claim.
“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.”