Pensioners entitled to £300 cost of living payment for bills – check eligibility | Retirement | Finance

Pensioners are being urged to check if they’re eligible for a payment of hundreds of pounds from the Government to help cover heating bills as the criteria is set to change. Some people could receive up to £300 as part of the Winter Fuel Payment.

The payment itself has been around since 1997 to help everyone above state pension age with their winter heating bills.

But the new Labour Government has recently come under fire as it announced the payments will be restricted to those on benefits and pension credit.

It is thought around 10 million pensioners in England and Wales will lose out as a result.

The change will affect this coming winter with payments due in November and December.

Who is eligible?

Amid these changes it can seem confusing as to who is now eligible for the scheme.

The simplest way of putting it is that from this year onwards to be eligible you must have reached state pension age and also receive a qualifying means-tested benefit.

This means someone born on or before 22 September 1958 (for the 2024/25 payment) who, from 2024 onwards, receives one of the following:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

This applies to people in England and Wales. If you live in Scotland, you might get an annual Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead, the Government says.

How much can you get?

If you are over State Pension age and receive a qualifying benefit, you could get £200 towards your bills.

If you are over 80, you could get £300 to help with your bills in winter this year. Payments are made to the person claiming the benefit and are for the household.

You’re not entitled to Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home or nursing home during the period 24 June to 22 September 2024.

How to claim Winter Fuel Payment

If you or your partner is eligible the payment should go to the main claimant of the benefit automatically.

The Government website states you should get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get.

However, if you have never received a Winter Fuel Payment before or you claim Universal Credit, you might need to make a claim.

Age UK recommends calling the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 if you have any enquiries or you do not receive your payment.

Other schemes to help with winter bills include:

• A Cold Weather Payment – if you get certain benefits and the temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven days in a row
• The Warm Home Discount – this is a £150 discount on your bills if you get Pension Credit or live in a low-income household
• Help from the Household Support Fund, if you’re eligible under your local council’s rules – check on your local council’s website.