A lesser-known loophole could allow thousands to qualify for a £300 Winter Fuel Payment without the need to claim Pension Credit. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to restrict the payments to certain benefit claimants, such as Pension Credit.

However, the DWP has since confirmed that state pensioners who are still receiving Tax Credits may be eligible for this financial support during the winter, provided they meet certain criteria.

Those over the state pension age (which is currently 66) who are receiving either a Working Tax Credit or a Child Tax Credit can secure a Winter Fuel Payment

To qualify, households must receive an annual Tax Credit award of at least £26 covering at least one day in the week of September 16 to 22, 2024.

Those who qualify will still automatically receive the Winter Fuel Allowance, without having to apply for other benefits such as Pension Credit.

Tax Credits are in the process of being phased out, and those who still qualify will need to apply for Universal Credit or Pension Credit when they’re informed to do so. People are urged to wait until the notification before making the switch.

But in the meantime, Tax Credit recipients will still qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

The Winter Fuel Payment varies from £100 to £300, depending on individual circumstances, and to qualify, recipients must have been born on or before September 23, 1958.

People will receive a letter in October or November confirming their eligibility, as well as outlining how much they’ll get. Most eligible people are paid in November or December.

Those who do not get a letter but think they’re eligible for the payment are urged to check if they need to make a claim.