The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the exact amounts for the Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with some pensioners only eligible for £100. The payment, an annual tax-free government grant of between £100 and £300 for people over State Pension age, helps cover heating costs.
Around three-quarters of all state pensioners received the payment last year following a Government U-turn in June, meaning nine million pensioners in England and Wales got the extra support.
Who is eligible this year?
This year, Winter Fuel Payments will be made to everyone in England and Wales born on or before 27 June 1960. However, anyone over the income threshold of £35,000 will have their payment recovered by HMRC through the tax system.
The amount you get depends on your age and household size. A household is eligible for the higher amount of £300 if it includes someone over 80. Households with people above State Pension age but younger than 80 are eligible for £200.
How payments are split
One payment is made per household, unless they are on an income-related benefit such as Pension Credit, in which case the pensioner is entitled to an individual payment. In cases where one member of a household is above the income threshold and the other is not, the household will only get part of the payment.
For example, a couple both below the income threshold and both under 80, with neither receiving Pension Credit, will get £200. If one person's income is above £35,000, their half is clawed back through the tax system, leaving the eligible person with £100.
Payments are split for couples based on age. If both are over 80, the split is £150 each. If only one is 80 or over, the older person gets £200 and the younger gets £100. If both are under 80, the split is £100 each.
For full details, visit the gov.uk website.
