State pensioners across the UK are urged to make a phone call to get a £300 payment by the end of January.
Anyone born before September 23, 1958 could get a payment of up to £300 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help cover the cost of heating bills this winter.
Pensioners are entitled to this Winter Fuel Payment if they are born before this date, live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and claim certain benefits.
The qualifying benefits include Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
You must have been claiming one of these benefits during the qualifying week of September 16 to 22 September, 2024, to be eligible for the payment.
The DWP says those that meet the qualifying criteria should have received a letter in October or November last year which states exactly how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get.
The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between the qualifying week, but you’ll get either £200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958, or £300 if you were born before September 23, 1944.
The payment should be issued automatically if you’re eligible and will arrive in your bank account with a payment reference beginning with your National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP WFP’.
However, if you haven’t received a letter from the DWP, or the money hasn’t been paid into your account by January 29, 2025, then you should call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 to make a claim.
You’ll need to provide personal details including your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number.
The DWP said: “Most payments are made automatically in November or December. You’ll get a letter telling you how much you’ll get, and which bank account it will be paid into – this is usually the same account as your Pension Credit or other benefits
“If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 29 January 2025, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.”
