If you have reached the qualifying age you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay for keeping warm in winter. This can be between £125 and £400 depending on your situation. Find out if you are eligible for this payment and how to apply
Are you eligible?
You could get Winter Fuel Payment if both the following apply:
- you have reached the qualifying age (born on or before 5 July 1950)
- you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland on any day in the week of 20–26 September 2010
You won’t qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if, during the week of 20–26 September 2010:
- you were in hospital for more than 52 weeks previously, getting free treatment as an inpatient
- you were in custody serving a court sentence
- you were subject to immigration control and did not qualify for help from the Department for Work and Pensions
- you lived in a care home, an independent hospital or Ilford Park Polish Resettlement Home (and had done so for the previous 12 weeks or more) and you were on Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Once you have qualified for a Winter Fuel Payment, you may be able to continue to receive future payments if you move to another European Economic Area country.
If you are unsure if you are eligible, you can call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline.
-
Winter Fuel Payments Helpline (part of The Pension Service)
Changes to the qualifying age
The qualifying age for Winter Fuel Payments for both men and women is rising in line with the increase in women’s State Pension age.
To have reached the qualifying age for a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2010/11 you will need to be born on or before 5 July 1950.
How to get your Winter Fuel Payment
You should automatically get the Winter Fuel Payment without applying if you have reached the qualifying age by 26 September 2010, and either:
- you got a Winter Fuel Payment last winter and you still meet the conditions for getting it
- you got State Pension or another benefit except Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit during the week of 20–26 September 2010
If your partner is getting any of the following benefits then they will receive the Winter Fuel Payment:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
Otherwise, if you think you qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment, then you will need to apply. Call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0845 9151515 or get a claim form online.
This means you will need to apply if you don’t claim benefits, don’t get State Pension, or if the only benefits you get are Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit.
Get a claim form
The claim form for winter 2010/11 is now available. You can no longer get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2009/10.
You only need to claim once. After this you should automatically get Winter Fuel Payment each year as long as your circumstances do not change.
How much you can get
The amount of Winter Fuel Payment that you can get varies according to your personal situation.
| Circumstances |
Born on or before 5 July 1950 |
Aged 80 or over on or before 26 September 2010 |
| You live alone or are the only person in the household who qualifies |
£250 |
£400 |
| You get Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance |
£250 |
£400 |
| You live with another qualifying individual |
£125 |
£275 if you are the only person in the household who's aged 80 or over
£200 if you and at least one other person are aged 80 or over
|
| If your partner or civil partner gets Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance for you both |
The payment will be made to the person who gets Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance |
The payment will be made to the person who gets Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance |
If both of the following apply:
- you live in a care home, an independent hospital or Ilford Park Polish Resettlement Home
- you don't get Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance
|
£125 |
£200 |
If both the following apply:
- you live in a care home, an independent hospital or Ilford Park Polish Resettlement Home (and have done so for 12 weeks or more before the qualifying week)
- you get Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance
|
You don't qualify for Winter Fuel Payment |
You don't qualify for Winter Fuel Payment |
Claim for past winters
If you are eligible, you can claim Winter Fuel Payments for the years 1997/98 to 1999/2000. From 2000/01 time limits for claims were introduced.
This means that payments cannot be made for late claims for any winters from 2000/01 onwards. Claims for these winters had to be made by 30 March for the relevant winter. For example, a claim for winter 2007/08 had to be made by 30 March 2008.
Winter Fuel Payment - getting paid
The Winter Fuel Payment is automatically given to those who have had their entitlement established. Find out what to do if you think your payment is incorrect or if you have concerns about the timing of your payment or cheque.
How you receive your Winter Fuel Payment
You will receive your Winter Fuel Payment the same way that you usually receive your State Pension or other benefit (apart from Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit).
If you're not getting a State Pension or another benefit (apart from Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit) your Winter Fuel Payment will be paid by the method of payment you indicate on your claim form.
What to do if your payment is incorrect
If you think your payment is incorrect, call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline.
Time limits on payments by cheque and payable order
If you are sent a cheque to your home address, you will need to cash it within one month of the date shown on it. You can cash the cheque at your local post office, or you can pay it into your bank or building society up to six months after the date shown on the cheque.
If you are sent a payable order to your home address, you will need to cash it within six months of the date shown on it. You can pay your payable order into your bank or building society.
If you cannot cash your cheque or payable order in time, contact the office that sent you the payment.
Timing of payments
If you claim on or before 24 September 2010 you should get your payment during November or December 2010.
If you apply after this date, you may not get payment until after Christmas.
Will it affect your other benefits?
The Winter Fuel Payment won't affect your other benefits and you won't have to pay Income Tax on it.
Winter Fuel Payment – change of circumstances
If you are claiming Winter Fuel Payment and your circumstances change (for example, if you move overseas) then you need to know who to contact. If you do not you may miss out on your entitlements.
