Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual, tax-free payment to help with heating costs during the colder months.
The Government announced in July 2024 that from this year onwards, to be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment you must have reached State Pension age and receive a qualifying means-tested benefit.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment in 2024-2025, you must meet the following criteria:
- You were born on or before 22 September 1958
You receive one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit with an award of at least £26 for the 2024-2025 tax year
- You lived in England or Wales during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024
You will not receive the payment if you lived in a care home or nursing home between 24 June and 22 September 2024.
Payment amount
- If you are over State Pension age, you could receive £200 towards your heating bills
- If you are over 80, you could receive £300
Payments are made to the main claimant of the qualifying benefit and are intended for the household.
How to claim
- If you or your partner already receive Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you should receive the payment automatically. This means that you should not need to make a claim.
- If this is your first time claiming or you receive Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, or Working Tax Credit, you may need to make a claim. To find out how to do this, please visit GOV.UK website
When will Winter Fuel Payments be made?
You can expect to receive your payment between mid November and Christmas.
If you have questions or do not receive your payment, contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160.
