Winter Fuel Payment

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    The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax free payment to help older people keep warm during winter. It is provided by the government to those who are eligible.  You could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills.

    Am I eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment?

    You are eligible if you:

    • were born on or before 23 September 1958.
    • live in England or Wales

    You must also receive one of the following:

    • Pension Credit
    • Universal Credit
    • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
    • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
    • Income Support

    In some circumstances, you may be eligible if you live abroad.

    Find out more about your eligibility on GOV.UK.

    How do I apply for Winter Fuel Payment?

    If you have received a Winter Fuel Payment previously, you should automatically receive your payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that pays your other benefits.

    You do not need to claim if you get any of the following:

    • Pension Credit
    • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
    • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
    • Income Support

    If you do not get any of these, you need to claim if either of the following apply:

    • you’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment before
    • you or your partner get Universal Credit

    You can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre for more information or to make a claim by phone, by email, Relay UK, video relay or by post and you must get the first claim in by 31 March each year. To ensure you receive your payment before Christmas, submit your claim before the qualifying week (as above).

    You will need to know:

    • your National Insurance number
    • your bank or building society details
    • your BIC and IBAN numbers if you live in the EEA or Switzerland
    • the date you were married or entered into a civil partnership (if appropriate)
    • where you were on the qualifying dates in September

    How much may I receive?

    The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you receive will depend on your situation. To find out how much you will get visit Gov.UK.

    You may still be able to get Cold Weather Payment or  Warm Home Discount Scheme, even if you do not qualify for Winter Fuel Payment.

    When will I receive my payment?

    Most payments are made between November and December. You will receive a notification letter and this will give you a more specific payment date.

    If you have not received your payment by end of January contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

    My circumstances have changed, what should I do?

    If you have received a Winter Fuel Payment previously and your circumstances have changed, you should inform The DWP. For example if you will not be living at home during the Winter months but will be in:

    • hospital getting free in-patient treatment
    • a residential care home or Ilford Park Resettlement Home
    • custody serving a court sentence
    • stopped receiving a benefit

    Where can I get benefits advice?

    It can be useful to speak with someone about the benefits you may be entitled to and how they may impact upon your other benefits. A local independent advice service can help guide you through the process such as:

    Last updated: August 9, 2024