How to get a Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300 - eligibility and payment dates

Each winter as the cold draws in, the heating is turned up and as a consequence, so are bills.

Add in the fact that we're a month away from Christmas, making ends meet can be difficult at this time of year.

However, some people may be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, which helps with the additional expense of keeping warm in winter.

If a person is born on or before April 5, 1954, then they could get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills.

You usually get the payment automatically if you are eligible and get the State Pension, or another social security beneift.

However this doesn't include Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit.

It's paid every winter as temperatures drop (Getty Images)

When will you get the payment?

The amount you are owed will depend on your circumstances and whether you receive certain benefits.

According to the Government website, payments are made automatically between November and December.

And claimants should expect their money by January 13, 2020.

If you haven't received the Winter Fuel Payment by this date, then they advise to call the office that pays your benefits - contact details can be found on any letters they have sent to you.

Payments are made automatically, but some people will have to claim (Getty Images)

Eligibility details

• You were born on or before 5 April 1954
• You lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 16 to 22 September 2019 - this is called the 'qualifying week'

You can read more information on whether you qualify here.

How to claim

If you're eligible but do not get paid automatically, you will need to make a claim, which you can do so here - with a deadline of March 31 2020.

If a person has deferred their state pension, they will also need to make a claim.

More information can be found online on the Government's dedicated webpage - https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment