Overview
- Winter Fuel Payments worth £100 to £300 are being paid automatically through November and December to around nine million pensioners in England and Wales, appearing with the reference starting with a National Insurance number followed by DWP WFP.
- HMRC will reclaim Winter Fuel Payments from recipients with taxable income above £35,000 via PAYE or Self Assessment, with no action required by pensioners after receiving the money.
- The long-standing £10 Christmas Bonus will be paid in the first full week of December to people on qualifying benefits and will show as DWP XB, but Universal Credit-only claimants are not eligible.
- The DWP is trialling targeted letters with Age UK and Independent Age to boost Pension Credit take-up after data showed large regional gaps and widespread underclaiming of support averaging about £83 a week.
- Officials warn of scam texts inviting applications for Winter Fuel Payments; the payment is automatic, bank details will not be requested, and suspicious messages should be forwarded to 7726.