The £300 one-off payment is part of a package of support to help households with rising costs. But not all pensioners will get the £300 payment automatically. Here are quick answers to key questions about the payment:
Who is eligible for the £300 pensioner cost of living payment?
The payment is for pensioner households in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment in winter 2022/23. To be eligible, you must be aged 66 or over by 19 September 2022. You usually qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if you:
- Get the State Pension
- Get another social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction or Child Benefit)
So you will need to be in receipt of one of those qualifying benefits to also get the £300. This means not all pensioners will receive it automatically.
Do you have to apply for the £300 payment?
You do not typically have to apply for the payment if you are eligible. It should be paid automatically alongside your Winter Fuel Payment later this year. Payments started going out in November 2022. If you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022/23, you will get the additional £300 paid to you automatically and do not need to claim it.
When will the £300 be paid?
Most payments are expected to be made automatically in November/December 2022. Here are the expected payment timeframes:
| Payment | Expected payment period |
|---|---|
| Automatic payments | November/December 2022 |
| Payments for eligible pensioner households with someone aged over 80 who receive support from DWP | Early 2023 |
You should get the payment by 13 January 2023 at the latest. The DWP advises allowing time for payment processing and bank/building society processing times as well.
What if I’m not eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment?
If you are not eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment but are still struggling with energy bills, you may be able to get help from:
- Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Cold Weather Payments
- Household Support Fund – help provided by local authorities
- Discretionary housing payments
- Budgeting loans and advances
Who does not qualify for the payment?
You will not qualify if you:
- Are under State Pension age
- Live abroad and do not have a genuine link to the UK
- Are in hospital or a care home for more than 52 weeks
- Have already received help under the winter 2022/23 Winter Fuel Payment because you do not qualify on the grounds of residence status
- Are subject to immigration control
Spouses or civil partners who do not get the State Pension or specified benefits themselves also miss out. The Winter Fuel Payment is not taxable and does not affect other benefits.
Do I need to repay the £300?
No, the £300 is non-repayable so you will not have to pay it back. It is tax-free and will not affect your other benefits.
What if I’m on a low income but not a pensioner?
If you are under State Pension age but on a low income, you may still get help with energy bills through:
- Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Cold Weather Payments
- Winter Fuel Payments (if you have a disability or are responsible for a child under 5)
- Household Support Fund
- Discretionary housing payments
- Budgeting loans
The government is also providing a £650 cost of living payment to support vulnerable households, paid in two instalments to qualifying low income households.
Is the Winter Fuel Payment changing?
There are no planned long-term changes to Winter Fuel Payments. The purpose of the £300 addition is to provide extra short-term support during the current energy crisis and cost of living emergency. Beyond winter 2022/23, the regular Winter Fuel Payment will continue each winter for qualifying pensioner households.
Conclusion
In summary, the vast majority of eligible pensioner households will get the £300 payment automatically alongside their normal Winter Fuel Payment in November/December 2022. You do not need to apply or claim separately. But not all pensioners meet the benefit entitlement criteria to receive a Winter Fuel Payment. Those who are under State Pension age or living abroad may miss out. For others struggling with bills, other forms of support are available. The key is that the £300 is targeted at pensioners specifically, so only they will automatically get this particular payment.
