DWP issues major Winter Fuel Payment update as up to £300 paid into bank accounts

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that hundreds of thousands of pensioners will start to receive their Winter Fuel Payments from today.

Around 1.3 million pensioner households are eligible for the payments, which are worth up to £300, after a major rule change this year.

Previously, all pensioners were handed a Winter Fuel Payment. From this year, only pensioners claiming certain benefits will be getting the money, which is aimed at helping the most vulnerable with heating costs during the winter. READ MORE: DWP claimants warned 'there will be sanctions' for refusing to work The payments are being made across England and Wales from today, November 25, the DWP has now confirmed.

Most payments will land in pensioners’ bank accounts automatically and the payment reference will begin with the customer’s National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP WFP’.