Two groups of people 'have to apply' for DWP winter fuel payment
The winter fuel payment, which is back for 2025, will be paid automatically to the majority of people - but not all - with some individual required to apply for the support
A BBC expert has provided clarity regarding the need for certain individuals to apply for the reintroduced £300 winter fuel payment. On BBC Morning Live, Colletta Smith underlined the expanded eligibility for this year's payment. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that an additional 9 million state pensioners, who previously missed out, will now qualify.
Disbursement of the payments, which are either £200 or £300, is scheduled for November and December. While most pensioners will get the payment automatically, Smith pointed out that some might need to confirm their eligibility with the Department for Work and Pensions.
The cut-off for eligible pensioners is an annual income of no more than £35,000, which takes into account certain private and workplace pensions as well.
Colletta said: "Those eligible are people who earn now £35,000 or less, so it's a much higher threshold as a pensioner. So if you are getting some form of private pension, workplace pension, as long as you're below that threshold of £35,000, you'll still get the winter fuel payments.
"And crucially, it will come automatically. So like it used to. Previously you don't have to apply for it." She also assured viewers: "It just pops into your bank accounts come the beginning of November onwards, so you don't have to worry about any complicated forms to fill in.
"There will be a small number of people who might need to update their details. So if you have deferred your state pension, if you've lived abroad recently and have moved back, it's probably worth contacting the government to make sure that you do get that payment.
"For everybody else, you won't have to apply for it." In light of these developments, the DWP has updated its advice, outlining for the first time those due for the additional funds.
The DWP: "The winter fuel payment for 2025 to 2026 will be made to everyone in England and Wales born before 22 September 1959, unless you choose not to get it. You could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter."
Officials sought to reassure recipients with a clear message: "You do not need to do anything - payments will be made automatically."
Warnings were also issued to higher earners regarding possible tax implications, as they might have to return the payment through HMRC, though detailed instructions are yet to be published.
They added a note on this matter: "If your income is over £35,000, your winter fuel payment will be recovered later through HMRC. Details of the 2025 to 2026 payment will be available by the end of June 2025."
Ms Smith also mentioned that those with higher incomes could consider foregoing the payment since it would have to be repaid in any case, reports the Express.
She clarified: "If you earn £35,000 or above, there is a way of ticking a box to say that you don't want to receive the payment in the first place, but otherwise, the payment will come through automatically, and then it will be clawed back through the tax system. So you will be taxed a bit more on your pensions to get that £200 taken back off you effectively.
"The crucial week we all need to remember is between the 15th and the 25th of September. So if you have had your birthday by the 21st of September and you've become a state pensioner, then at that point you qualify for the winter fuel payment this coming winter.
"So it's that week that's the what they call the qualifying week. 15th to 21st, September."
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