Millions of pensioners<\/strong> across the UK are being advised to check their bank statements<\/strong> for a specific six-digit code<\/strong> linked to a government payment<\/strong>. This financial support, issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)<\/strong>, could make a significant difference this winter. However, not everyone will receive it automatically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pensioners across the UK are being advised to check their bank statements for a specific six-digit code that confirms their receipt of a \u00a3300 Winter Fuel Payment<\/strong> from the Department for Work and Pensions <\/strong>(DWP). This payment is part of a government initiative to support older people with energy costs<\/strong> during the winter months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Winter Fuel Payment<\/strong> is available to pensioners in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland<\/strong> who were born before September 23, 1958<\/strong>, and meet certain eligibility criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously, this payment was available to all individuals aged 66 and over<\/strong>, but recent policy changes now restrict eligibility<\/strong> to pensioners receiving Pension Credit<\/strong> or other means-tested benefits<\/a><\/strong>. The following table outlines the benefits that qualify pensioners for this payment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
• Universal Credit<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Income-based Jobseeker\u2019s Allowance (JSA)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Income Support<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Child Tax Credit<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Working Tax Credit<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  To qualify for the payment in winter 2024\u20132025<\/strong>, pensioners must have been receiving one of these benefits during the qualifying week from September 16 to 22, 2024<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  How to Confirm Receipt of the Payment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

  Pensioners should check their bank statements<\/strong> to ensure they have received their Winter Fuel Payment<\/strong>. Payments are usually issued automatically in November or December<\/strong>, and all eligible individuals should receive it by January 29, 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  To confirm that the payment has been received, pensioners should look for the following on their bank statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \n
  • A six-digit code<\/strong> in the transaction details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Their National Insurance number<\/strong> followed by \u201cDWP WFP\u201d<\/strong> (which stands for Winter Fuel Payment<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    If the payment is missing, pensioners should check any letters from the DWP<\/strong>, which inform them of how much they will receive and where the money will be deposited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What to Do if the Payment Is Missing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If a pensioner believes they should have received the Winter Fuel Payment<\/strong> but does not see it in their bank account by January 29, 2025<\/strong>, they should take the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    1. Check their DWP letter<\/strong> \u2013 This document should confirm eligibility and payment details.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Review their bank statement<\/strong> \u2013 Look for the “DWP WFP”<\/strong> code next to the National Insurance number.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre<\/strong> \u2013 If the payment is still missing, they should call 0191 218 7777<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Apply before the deadline<\/strong> \u2013 Pensioners who haven\u2019t received their payment but believe they qualify<\/strong> must submit a claim before March 31, 2025<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Provide evidence<\/strong> \u2013 When making a claim, they need to show proof of receiving a means-tested benefit<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

       Special Cases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

       \n
       • If awaiting a Pension Credit decision<\/strong>: The Winter Fuel Payment<\/strong> will be automatically issued<\/strong> once the Pension Credit claim is approved<\/strong>. There is no need to contact the DWP<\/strong> in this case.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
       • If newly eligible for a benefit<\/strong>: Pensioners who recently started receiving Pension Credit<\/strong> or another qualifying benefit should check with the DWP<\/strong> to confirm their eligibility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

         Importance of the Winter Fuel Payment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

         The Winter Fuel Payment<\/a><\/strong> is a vital support measure for older people struggling with rising energy costs<\/strong>. With high heating bills<\/strong> expected during colder months, ensuring that eligible pensioners receive their payment is crucial. Missing out on this financial support could lead to greater financial hardship<\/strong> during winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

         Pensioners are encouraged to act promptly<\/strong> by checking their bank statements and contacting the DWP<\/strong> if they have not yet received their payme<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

         Many pensioners may be eligible for a DWP payment this winter, but not all will receive it automatically. Checking your bank statements could be the key to claiming it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":103429,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-103428","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-social-welfare","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103428","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=103428"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103428\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":103430,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/103428\/revisions\/103430"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/103429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=103428"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=103428"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=103428"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}