CENTRAL Devon MP and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride has confirmed that Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments will start to land in pensioners’ bank accounts from today, November 23.

More than 11 million pensioners will receive up to £600 of support with energy costs over the coming weeks.

Mr Stride said: “We want to do everything we can to support pensioners who are often the most exposed to higher costs.

“That’s why we’re providing all pensioner households with an additional £300 on top of their Winter Fuel Payments to heat their homes and stay warm this winter.”

Most pensioners will not need to do anything to receive this extra payment as most Winter Fuel Payments are paid automatically.

However, some people may need to make a claim if they qualify but do not receive benefits or the State Pension and have never previously received a Winter Fuel Payment. Anyone who does not receive their payment by January 13, 2023 should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

Mr Stride is also urging the estimated 850,000 pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit but are not currently claiming it to come forward.

The benefit tops up pensions for those on the lowest incomes by up to £3,500 a year. A calculator where pensioners can check eligibility can be found at: www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator .

Those without internet access can ring the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

Mr Stride recently took the decision, in consultation with the Chancellor, to uprate the State Pension in line with September’s inflation figure of 10.1 per cent for 2023/24.

This means the new State Pension will be worth more than £10,000 a year for the first time.