BBC Expert says two groups 'will need to apply' for £300 winter fuel payment in 2025

Some people 'may have to apply' for this year's winter fuel payment, an expert has said. The financial help for state pensioners is returning in 2025 after Chancellor Rachel Reeves u-turned on the benefit which she axed for 9 million people to save money.

It is meant to go out to everyone automatically - but on BBC Morning Live, finance expert Laura Pomfret said that some people may need to apply for it. Ms Pomfret also warned some people may need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions to make sure they get the money. She said: "Some individuals may need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions and to claim a winter fuel payment because for a couple of different reasons, if you've deferred your state pension, so if you're of state pension age, but you've deferred it, then you will have to contact, you could have been living abroad and come back back over.

"So there's a couple of different reasons why you may need to apply, and claims can be made until the 31st of March next year. So if you think you can claim it and you need to proactively do it, and if you fit one of those categories, do it, but otherwise you'll just get it.

"The majority, it just just happens automatically because that's where we talk about scams getting involved really, really careful if you see something pop up like that."

People in those circumstancesare urged to contact the DWP and check their details are correct and that they will receive the payment.

Reasons people may have to apply for Winter Fuel Payment:

• Those who have deferred their state pension
• People who have lived abroad and come back to live in the UK

The change also means that those who missed outlast year after the controversial money-saving change will get the money this year. However, those who have a combined taxable income of £35,000 will have to pay it back.

One fact in the payments is that there are two levels - one of £200 and one of £300 - and it depends when a person was born to get the higher level.

Ms Pomfret said: "This year everyone over state pension age in England and Wales with an income of or below £35,000 will benefit from a winter fuel payment this winter. Northern Ireland will mirror these rules, and the Scotland system is similar, the rates are slightly higher by a few pounds."

Explaining who gets what, she said: "Essentially, it will be £200 winter fuel payment per household if the oldest qualifying resident is under 80, and it'll be £300 per household if at least one resident is 80+. nd for couples not on pension credit or universal Credit. The payment is split, so it could be. For example, £100 and £100, or it could be £200 and £100, but basically, have a look which one you may fit into and and that's the payment that you will get.

"And the money crucially is going to be given to all pensioners in November and December this year. You don't need to apply for it. But if you're not technically eligible, something called a clawback will happen later."

BBC Cost of Living correspondent Colletta Smith has said people who have their birthday on a certain date will scrape into the benefit. People born before a certain date are sure to get it - and it's all about having a birthday in time to meet the threshold in 'qualification week.'

Ms Smith said: "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 what they call the qualifying week. 15th to 21st, September."

BBC Morning Live host Michelle Ackerly asked: "You just touched on a claw back there. What's the clawback mechanism then." Ms Pomfret explained: "This effectively creates a universal payment. It's really important. It means that everyone gets it, so there's not a risk of someone not getting it who is eligible, and then we take it back from those people that earn higher than the income threshold that's been set. And the Department of Work and Pensions is going to share more on operationally how they're actually going to do this."

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