Millions of pensioners have received an additional cost of living payment in the past few months. Last year the UK government offered an additional payment of up to £300 for pensioners who qualified for this year's winter fuel payment which is given to help pensioners with their energy bills.
The winter fuel payment is given to those who receive the state pension or certain benefits and last year it was announced all eligible claimants would receive a top-up of between £150 and £300 depending on their circumstances. It came after soaring costs of living caused gas and electric to double compared to last winter as well as inflation hitting a 40-year high.
Most winter fuel payments were given in November and December and should have been given automatically, but anyone yet to receive their money has been advised they can now ask about a missing payment. Here is what you need to know about the pensioner cost of living payment including what to do if you haven't received it but believe you qualify. To get all the latest money-saving news straight to your inbox twice a week sign up here.
Read more: Energy bills forecast to fall more than expected in the summer
What is the winter fuel payment and pensioner cost of living payment?
The pensioner cost of living payment is fiven to those who qualify for the winter fuel payment. This is an annual, tax-free sum paid by the UK government to help those over the state pension age pay their heating bills during the coldest months and most payments are made in November and December. In order to qualify for the winter fuel payment you must have been born on or before September 25, 1956 and also have lived in the UK for at least one day in the qualifying week, which for 2022/23 was between September 19 and 25, 2022. This includes those aged 66 or over who get any of the following:
- Attendance allowance
- Awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Carers allowance
- Disability living allowance (DLA)
- Incapacity benefit
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA)
- Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Industrial death benefit
- Industrial injuries disablement benefit
- Pension credit
- Personal independence payment (PIP)
- State pension
Payments are normally between £100 and £300, but the UK government announced last year that eligible claimants would receive between £150 and £300 additional cash depending on their circumstances. It means some people were entitled to up to £600.
Here is how much you get if you were born on or before September 25, 1942:
- Live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify) - £600
- Live with someone under 80 who also qualifies - £350
- Live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies - £300
- Live in a care home and do not get certain benefits - £300
If you or your partner claim pension credit, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance or income support, your pay will be different.
If you were born between September 26, 1942 and September 25, 1956:
- Live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify) - £500
- Live with someone under 80 who also qualifies - £500 (only one of you will get the payment)
- Live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies - £500 (you'll both get the payment)
- Live in a care home and do not get certain benefits - N/A
Here is how much you get if you were born on or before September 25, 1942:
- Live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify) - £600
- Live with someone under 80 who also qualifies - £600 (only one of you will get the payment)
- Live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies - £600 (you'll both get the payment)
- Live in a care home and do not get certain benefits - N/A
I think I qualify but haven't received any money - what do I do?
If you were eligible for an automatic payment it will have been sent directly to your bank account with the payment reference 'DWP WFP' if you live in Wales. Most people have received their money now but if you haven't you can contact the winter fuel payment centre on 0800 731 0160 or using the online form.
If you don't get any of the above benefits or payments and haven't had a winter fuel payment before, but feel you are now eligible, you may need to apply to get it. You can do this by calling the help centre on the above number (you will need some details such as your National Insurance number, bank or building society details and the date you were married or entered into a civil partnership if appropriate) or by filling in a claim form and sending it to Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR. Yoy will need to apply before March 31, 2023 in order to receive this year's payment in full.
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