Winter Fuel Payment

Get to grips with the Winter Fuel Payment (also known as the Winter Fuel Allowance). Find out what it is, how much you could get and if you're eligible to apply for one.

What is the Winter Fuel Payment?

The Winter Fuel Payment (first introduced in 1997) is an annual tax-free state benefit and allowance available to help ease the burden of energy heating costs in the winter. The amount paid is greater if you are aged 80 years and above. It's also set so that a person living alone (or with people not receiving the payment) is paid twice as much as a person in a household where more than one person receives the payment.

If the weather is particularly cold, you may also receive a Cold Weather Payment.

Who is eligible?

You are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before the 23rd of September 1958 and are living in either England or Wales.

You must also be receiving at least one of the following benefits:

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

The Winter Fuel Payment is also available to those living in a European Economic Area (EEA) and have a provable link to the UK. 

How much will I get?

If you live alone you will receive:-

• £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958
• £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944

If you live with soomeone and you and your partner jointly claim any of the above mentioned benefitsi, one of you will get a payment of either:-

• £200 if both of you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958
• £300 if one or both of you were born before 23 September 1944

How can you apply?

If you are eligible and already get the State Pension or another social security benefit then you should get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically.

Otherwise you may need to make a claim. Your first port of call should be gov.uk. Here you'll be able to find and download your form to get the ball rolling. After that, you'll be assessed on whether you're eligible and how much you'll receive.

How much is the Winter Fuel Allowance?

Depending on your circumstances, the Winter Fuel Payment you will receive will be between £150 and £300. A combination of your age, when you’ve lived in the UK, who you live with and the benefits you get, will determine the exact sum you’re entitled to. 

If you’re successful, you should receive a letter informing you of how much you’ll get and an estimated payment date. The amount will be paid into the same bank account you claim your benefits with.

Can I apply if I live in Scotland?

Unfortunately, no. However, Scotland residents may instead be eligible to apply for the annual Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

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