Pensioners' winter fuel boost - exactly how much will you get?

Eight million pensioners who receive the annual Winter Fuel Payment to help with their heating bills will be receiving an extra boost this year.

Following Chancellor Rishi Sunak 's announcement of measures to help struggling household cope with the cost of living increases, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released updated guidance for millions of older people set to receive the £300 extra one-off payment.

Older people who already receive the Winter Fuel Payment will get the extra cash from November 2022, but the full amount you will get for winter 2022/23 depends on your circumstances.

Read more: £150 Council Tax rebate boosted in some areas - will you get more?

Here we take a look at how much you will get, depending on your age and who you live with. To receive the standard Winter Fuel Payment and this year's Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, you must be over State Pension age (aged 66 or above) between 19 and 25 September 2022.

You will get your payment automatically if you over state Pension age and get the State Pension or another social security benefit (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit). You don't need to do anything to claim the payments.

If you do not get either of these, or if you live abroad, you may need to make a claim, but if you have received a Winter Fuel Payment before, you do not need to claim again unless you have deferred your state pension or moved abroad.

What you will get (figures show total amount)

If you live alone (or with others who don't qualify)

• Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £500
• Born on or before September 25, 1942: £600

If you live with someone under 80 who also qualifies

• Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £250
• Born on or before September 25, 1942: £350

If you live with someone over 80 who also qualifies

• Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £250
• Born on or before September 25, 1942: £300

If you live with someone who gets Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support

• Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £500 (only one of you will get the payment)
• Born on or before September 25, 1942: £600 (only one of you will get the payment)

If you live in a care home and do not get Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support

• Born between September 25, 1942 and September 25, 1956: £250
• Born on or before September 25, 1942: £300

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