Winter fuel payment letter tells me I qualify for 500 but 300 received

nlinc

So is the payment to be split into a further 200 to be received in the Spring? There is a statement in the letter that it is based on 'automated decision making'. So has the decision been amended I wonder. I am 75, have a younger wife from overseas and naturalised 16 years ago but has no personal benefit entitlement. 

nayathepsychic

Is the £300 definitely your WFP? Could it be the CoL payment? 

unforeseen

I don't believe that the WFP are being sent out yet

bengal-stripe

I believe you have received the Cost of Living (COL) payment, which is £900 for the whole year, divided into £301(paid in May), £300 (paid now) and £299 (due in spring). The Winter Fuel Payment of £500 is another payment, to be paid in November and December.

Check the reference of the £300 payment, it should be COL.

nlinc

Thanks both for your interest. The bold heading on the letter is.....your 2023 winter fuel payment will be £500.....

It goes on ...you qualify for 500 because you-
were born on or before  24 sept 1957
were not living with anyone else who qualifies

As stated before, my foreign born - but naturalised - wife does not qualify for any benefits.


So maybe the CoL is still due and 200 will arrive later? 

scottleag

I think @bengal-stripe is right and you have received the second of the three cost of living payments. It's not unusual this time of year to receive notice of one payment (winter fuel payment) at or around the same time as receiving another (cost of living). Last week my wife and I received two separate letters for WFP and one bank payment for COL. Check the payment reference as advised. It should read COL and your WFP will be paid later either this month or next.

nlinc

Thank you, yes indeed it is referenced CoL. So, right amount but wrong heading on the letter?! I will report as and when I receive more?

sheramber

unforeseen said:

I don't believe that the WFP are being sent out yet

I received mine last week.

Spoonie_Turtle

nlinc said:

Thank you, yes indeed it is referenced CoL. So, right amount but wrong heading on the letter?! I will report as and when I receive more?

What you've received is the income-based Cost of Living Payment.

The £500 Winter Fuel Payment, the subject of the letter, is still to come.

scottleag

nlinc said:

. So, right amount but wrong heading on the letter?! 

No, not wrong heading. It's an entirely separate payment. 

nlinc

Thanks all. Got it now and yes it's two separate payments, though delighted at the fuel payment which will allow us to have the heating on longer each day if we keep to the 18 degrees.