Millions to get £300 cost of living payment direct to bank accounts from this month – are you one of them?
MILLIONS of pensioners will get a £300 cost of living paying directly into their bank accounts.
The "pensioner cost of living payment", will start to be dished out to eight million households from this month.
The help was first announced by new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak when he was Chancellor back in May.
It is separate from the £650 cost of living payment for those on Universal Credit and other legacy befits.
The extra cash will be given to those who already get the winter fuel payment, worth between £100 and £300 for those over state pension age.
This means that some pensioners eligible for the extra cash could receive up to £600.
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Below we explain what you need to know about the help and when it will land in your account.
Who is eligible for the additional £300 this winter?
To qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment and Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, the following must apply:
- You were born on or before September 25, 1956
- You lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19 to 25 September 2022 - this is called the ‘qualifying week’
If you did not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you might still get the payment if both of the following apply:
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- You live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area (.
Do I need to apply for the payment?
You generally do not need to claim Winter Fuel Payment - you’ll get it automatically if you’re eligible.
If you have not got a Winter Fuel Payment before, you only need to claim if any of the following apply:
- You do not get benefits or the State Pension
- The only benefit you get is Adult Disability Payment from the Scottish Government, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit
- You live in Switzerland or an .
How much will I get?
We've also added a breakdown of the Winter Fuel payment 2022-2023, which varies depending on your circumstances.
We've listed who will get what, according to the government.
Remember this includes your extra £300 boost.
- You qualify and live alone - £500 to £600
- You qualify alongside someone you live with who is under 80 and also qualifies - £250 to £350
- You qualify and live with someone over 80 who also qualifies - £250 to £300
- If either you or your partner also receive benefits - £500 to £600 (this amount is the same if someone you live with who isn't your partner receives certain benefits)
- If you qualify but live in a care home and don't get benefits - £250 to £300
The amount you'll receive really depends on the date you were born, but you can easily check for more details.
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Universal Credit claimants will receive an extra cash bonus on top of the £650 cost of living payment that will also be landing in bank accounts from November.
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In December, millions of people who claim UC and other benefits will be able to get their hands on an extra Christmas bonus cash boost - find out more here.
