Thousands of households in the UK are set to receive an extra £450 to help with winter costs. Eligible residents have been receiving letters from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to let them know if they can expect the financial assistance.
As reported by BirminghamLive, these additional funds to help cover costs over the winter of 2024/25, and could mean an extra £450 for some homes.
This cash includes the Winter Fuel Payment and the Warm Home Discount.
Letters advising people of their Winter Fuel Payment amount began being sent out in mid-October. If you’re eligible, you should receive a letter in October or November detailing your payment.
The DWP says that most payments are automatically made in November or December. But if you don’t receive a letter but believe you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim before contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
You won’t need to claim if you receive any of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
However, if you live abroad in a country with a cold winter where expats can receive the UK fuel allowance, you will need to make a claim.
This year’s Winter Fuel Payment will be £200 for those born between September 23, 1944, and September 22, 1958, and a higher amount of £300 for those over 80, who were born before September 23, 1944.
Unlike in previous years, the Winter Fuel Payment will now only go to pensioners in receipt of any of the benefits above. Previously it was awarded to all pensioners.
Households that qualify for the Warm Home Discount, a £150 rebate applied to your electricity account, are also being contacted.
If you’re eligible for the scheme or need to provide more information to determine your eligibility, you should receive a letter between October and early January 2025.
Unlike the Winter Fuel Payment, this is not a cash payment paid to you – your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill.
There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depending on where you live.
If you live in England and Wales you qualify if you either:
- Get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- Are on a low income and have high energy costs
If you live in Scotland you qualify if you either:
- Get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- Are on a low income in Scotland and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme
The Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland.
If you’re confirmed as eligible, your letter will state that no further action is required from you and the discount will be automatically applied to your electricity bill by March 31, 2025.
However, if the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero needs more details about your property or supplier, your letter will instruct you to call the helpline on 0800 030 9322.