DWP issues update over £25 ‘direct payments’ for pensioners | Personal Finance | Finance

Hundred of thousands of pensioners will qualify for “direct financial help” with the potential for £25 payments over the next few weeks with older Britons urged to check if they have any unclaimed benefits they can claim.

The support scheme came to light after Labour was asked in Parliamentif it would consider extending which benefits qualify a person for the Winter Fuel Payment.

The rules were changed for this winter so you now have to be on a certain means-tested benefit, such as Pension Credit, as well as being of state pension age, to get the payment, which this winter is worth £200 or £300. The payments previously went out to most people of state pension age.

In his response to the query, Work and Pensions minister, Torsten Bell, listed some of the help available for pensioners. He mentioned the Cold Weather Payment and how these £25 payments provide “direct financial help” for low-income pensioners.

The payments are triggered when temperatures fall below zero degrees, or are forecast to be below zero, across seven consecutive days.

The scheme runs until the end of March with the payments triggered depending on the forecast from your local weather station. Millions of payments have been triggered this winter already.

You may be eligible for Cold Weather Payments if you claim Pension Credit. People on Universal Credit may also qualify for the payments.

Mr Bell also mentioned the Warm Home Discount scheme, which provides an £150 one-off deduction from your electricity bill, if your supplier is part of the scheme.

Those on the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit will be eligible for this as well as others on a low income, with Mr Bell saying over one million pensioners will be eligible for the support this winter.

On the question of expanding the qualifying rules for the Winter Fuel Payment, Mr Bell said “there are no plans to change the eligibility criteria”.

He also urged pensioners to check if they can claim Pension Credit, with hundreds of thousands of people still thought to be missing out.

Mr Bell said: “We want to ensure as many people as possible have access to this support and urge pensioners to check their eligibility.

“Pension Credit will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payments in future, alongside other benefits – including help with rent, council tax, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75. That’s why Government is taking significant steps to raise awareness and maximise take-up.”

He also encouraged low-income pensioners and those struggling with their bills to contact their local council to see if they can get other help.

Local authorities provide a range of cost of living support depending on the area, such as food vouchers or energy bills help, as part of the Household Support Fund in England.

This fund is running until April 2025. You can find out who your local council is using this Government tool.