This is because the last possible day to receive the government’s tax-free winter fuel payment automatically is Friday, January 26.
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The payment is worth between £250 and £600 and is made to those on the state pension and other benefits.
You’ll know if you’ve received it by checking for a specific code on your bank statement.
If you live in Great Britain, this will show as your National Insurance number, followed by “DWP WFP” on your bank statement.
Residents in Northern Ireland should see the payment as their NI number plus “DFC WFP”.
Most people are issued the cash automatically and should have received it between November and December.
But you need to act if you haven’t received yours by tomorrow (January 26).
You can do this by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, which is responsible for issuing the money.
If you live in the UK, the phone number to call is 0800 731 0160 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
If you live outside the UK the number to call is +44 (0)191 218 7777.
Plus, you can get in touch via post, which should be directed to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR.
You’ll need to include the following details in any correspondence:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your date of birth
- Your National Insurance number
Who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment?
To qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, the following must apply:
- You were born on or before September 25, 1957
- You lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 18 to 24 September 2023 – this is called the ‘qualifying week’
If you did not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you might still get the payment if both of the following apply:
- You live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area (EEA) country
- You have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK – this can include having lived or worked in the UK, and having family in the UK
You cannot get the payment if you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK.
You won’t get the payment if you are in hospital for more then a year getting free treatment and in some other circumstances.
To find out more about who is eligible visit Gov.UK.
Do I need to apply for the payment?
You generally do not need to claim Winter Fuel Payment – you’ll get it automatically if you’re eligible.
If you have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before, you only need to claim if any of the following apply:
- You do not get benefits or the State Pension
- The only benefit you get is Adult Disability Payment from the Scottish Government, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit
- You live in Switzerland or an EEA country
If you have had a Winter Fuel Payment before, you only need to claim if since your last payment you have either:
- Deferred your State Pension
- Moved to Switzerland or an EEA country
If you do need to claim you can do so by phone or by post.
The deadline for claiming the winter fuel payment for this winter is March 31, 2024.
How much will I get?
We’ve also added a breakdown of the Winter Fuel Payment rates for 2023-2024, which varies depending on your circumstances.
We’ve listed who will get what, according to the government.
Remember this includes your extra £300 boost.
- You qualify and live alone – £500 to £600
- You qualify alongside someone you live with who is under 80 and also qualifies – £250 to £350
- You qualify and live with someone over 80 who also qualifies – £250 to £300
- If either you or your partner also receives benefits – £500 to £600 (this amount is the same if someone you live with who isn’t your partner receives certain benefits)
- If you qualify but live in a care home and don’t get benefits – £250 to £300