Pensioners in the UK could get a £600 Cost of Living payment from NEXT week – with payments from the government and Department for Work and Pensions being rolled out for UK households. It comes in a bid to help with rising energy bills amid the Cost of Living crisis.
Andy Kerr, the founder and CEO of BOXT, explained: “This means that some people could receive up to £600 extra to help with the cost of living this winter. However, with a 54 percent increase in energy costs since April 2021 there are concerns that the government has not gone far enough in supporting people this winter.”
Mr Kerr added: “With the average energy bill now costing £1,834 per year, even the maximum winter fuel payment of £600 is unlikely to cover the cost of the dramatic increase in bills. What’s more, it’s estimated that energy prices will increase again in January putting even more strain on the most vulnerable in our society.”
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People before September 26, 1956 can usually get between £250 and £300 from the DWP to help pay their energy bills as part of the Winter Fuel Payment scheme amid the ongoing Cost of Living crisis, with the scheme going some way to aiding older people in the UK cope amid skyrocketing energy prices.
The Pensioner Cost of Living payment – an additional cash boost of either £150 or £300 – is included in the payment, which means you could get between £250 and £600 depending on your circumstances. If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, you will be sent a letter from the DWP telling you the exact amount you’ll get. According to the DWP, payments will be made in November or December.
If you do not get any of the qualifying benefits, which ranges from Universal Credit to ESA, JSA, Carers Allowance and PIP to Pension Credit, then you should claim if you’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment before or if you’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment.
You can claim either on the phone or via post. The deadline for you to make a claim is March 31, 2024.
