Exact date millions of Brits will receive £600 boost to help with energy bills

20 September 2023, 14:23 | Updated: 20 September 2023, 14:25

You could be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 25th September 1957. Picture: Alamy

Those eligible for the extra benefits will bank the cash in November and December this year.

Millions of Brits will soon by able to bank up to £600 of energy support this coming winter as the cost-of-living crisis shows no signs of slowing down.

It has been revealed that those eligible for the government's Winter Fuel Payment will receive the payment on November 1.

Plus, those who qualify for the state pension age benefit will automatically get a £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, too.

So how do you check if you meet the criteria for the cash? And how to you actually bank the money? Here, we break down all the details.

The £600 is a combination of the Winter Fuel Payment and the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment. Picture: Alamy

How much is the Winter Fuel Payment?

Millions of households in the UK will be able to claim for energy bill support this coming winter.

But if you're not sure how much you will receive, gov.uk explained: "The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 18 to 24 September 2023. This is called the ‘qualifying week’."

The advice explains that if you "live alone with no one else eligible for Winter Fuel Payment", you will receive:

However, if you do share a home with someone who does qualify for the benefit, your payment may be altered if you also receive Pension Credit, JSA, ESA or Income Support.

If you don't get any of the benefits above, gov.uk states that you will receive a payment of either:

The government added that: "If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:

"If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim), you’ll get a payment of either:

Gov.uk also issued payment details if you live in a care home, adding: "If you’re eligible you’ll get either:

So when can you expect the payment to hit your bank account? Gov.uk said most transactions are completed automatically in November or December.

The Winter Fuel Payment gives energy bill support to pensioners. Picture: Alamy

Am I eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment?

Most Brits at pensioner age are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, plus they are set to receive a £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, too.

If you're not sure whether you're on the list to bank up to £600, gov.uk has clarified the qualifying rules.

"You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 25 September 1957.

"You usually need to live in the UK. In some circumstances, you might be eligible if you live abroad," states gov.uk.

However, the government states on its website that you will not qualify for the benefit if you:

The rules change slightly if you live in a care home, as the government website explained: "You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home. You will not be eligible if both of the following apply:

Most households will automatically receive the payment from the government. Picture: Alamy

How do I claim the Winter Fuel Payment?

Not sure how to claim the energy support help?

"You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible," said gov.uk.

“If you do not get a letter but think you are eligible, check if you need to make a claim."

Most people will receive the benefit automatically if they already claim the following:

If you don't currently receive any of these, gov.uk states that you'll need to put in a claim if the following apply:

You can apply for the benefit by post from 18th September or by phone from 4th October, and the deadline to claim your Winter Fuel Payment from 2023 to 2024 is 31st March 2024.

For more information, as well as the correct address and phone number, please check gov.uk's helpful advice page.

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