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Winter fuel payments are available to most people who are aged 60 or over on or before 21/09/09. To be entitled to a winter fuel payment you must be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.
Most payments are made automatically around November or December if you are getting a state pension or a benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (this includes most benefits but not Child Benefit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit). If you have a partner aged 60 or over who receives Pension Credit, Income-based JSA or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance for you both, then the payment will be made to them.
If you are not claiming a state pension or social security benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions, and you did not receive a winter fuel payment last year, you will need to make a claim for the payment. To make a claim ask the winter fuel helpline for a claim form or download a claim form from The Pension Service
Some men missed out on the winter fuel payment in the years 1997/98, 1998/99 and 1999/2000. If you think you may have missed out contact the winter fuel helpline.
The winter fuel payment will not affect your other benefits and you will not have to pay Income Tax on it.
For further information call the winter fuel payment helpline on 0845 915 1515 or 0845 601 5613 for textphone users.
Everyone who is entitled to a winter fuel payment will receive one but the amount you will get depends on your age and who you live with. The chart below explains how much you will get.
| Circumstances | You are aged 60 to 79 on or before 21/09/09 | You are aged 80 or over on or before 21/09/09 |
|---|---|---|
| You live alone or are the only person in the household who qualifies, or you receive Pension Credit PC) or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) | £250 | £400 |
| You live with someone who is aged 60 to 79 on or before 21/09/09, and you do not receive PC or Income-based JSA | £125 | £275 |
| You live with someone who is aged 80 or over on or before 21/09/09, and you do not receive PC or Income-based JSA | £125 | £200 |