Winter Fuel Payment - overview

If you've reached the qualifying age you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay for keeping warm in winter. For winter 2011/12 this can be between £100 and £300 depending on your situation. Find out if you are eligible for this payment and how to apply.

What is the Winter Fuel Payment?

It is a yearly tax free payment to help people pay for their heating in the winter. Getting the Winter Fuel Payment will not affect any other benefits you may get. This is different from Cold Weather Payments which you may get for each week of very cold weather in your area.

Cold Weather Payment

Are you eligible?

You may get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2011/2012 if:

you have reached the qualifying age (born on or before 5 January 1951)
you normally live in Northern Ireland on any day in the week 19-25 September 2011

You won't qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if, throughout the week of 19-25 September 2011:

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 Social Development
you lived in a residential care home, nursing home or an independent hospital (and had done so for the previous 12 weeks or more) and you were on State Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance

If you move to another European Economic Area country you may be able to continue to receive future payments. But only if you have already qualified for a Winter Fuel Payment before you move.

How to apply

If you’ve reached the qualifying age by 25 September 2011 and get a State Pension or other benefit (not including Housing Benefit or Child Benefit) there's no need to apply, the Winter Fuel Payment should be paid to you automatically.

If you think you qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment but aren't getting a State Pension or benefits (or only receive Housing Benefit, Rate Relief or Child Benefit) - you'll need to apply. To apply, visit the following page:

Apply for Winter Fuel Payments (do it online section)

You can get more information by calling the Winter Fuel Payment helpline 08459 151 515 - textphone 0845 601 5613. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Can a couple get the Winter Fuel Payment?

If one of you receives State Pension Credit, The Pension Service will pay the full amount due to your household. Otherwise, if you share your home with another qualifying person, you will each get a shared payment depending on your situation.

Changes to the qualifying age

The qualifying age for Winter Fuel Payment for both men and women is rising in line with the increase in women’s State Pension age.

To reach the qualifying age for a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2011/2012 you will need to be born on or before 5 January 1951.

Winter Fuel Payment – getting paid

The Winter Fuel Payment is automatically given to those who are eligible.

Some people will get paid at different times than others. If you do not get a payment by the end of December call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline in January. Winter Fuel Payment helpline 08459 151 515 - textphone 0845 601 5613. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Winter Fuel Payment - getting paid

Will it affect your other benefits or taxes?

The Winter Fuel Payment won't affect your other benefits and you won't have to pay Income Tax on it.

What if your circumstances change?

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. It's important you call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline if:

you move home
you change your bank account details
you move overseas
you stop getting benefits (not including Housing Benefit, Rate Relief and Child Benefit)
someone else in your household becomes entitled or
there is any other change of circumstances that may affect your payment
Winter Fuel Payment - change of circumstances

How much can you get?

The amount of Winter Fuel Payment that you can get for winter 2011/12 varies according to your personal situation.

Situation	Born on or before 5 January 1951	Aged 80 or over on or before 25 September 2011
You live alone or are the only person in the household who qualifies	£200	£300
You get State Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance	£200	£300
You live with another qualifying individual	£100	£200 if you are the only person in the household who's aged 80 or over £150 if you and at least one other person are aged 80 or over
If your partner or civil partner gets State 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 State 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 State 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 or an independent hospital you don't get State Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance	£100	£150
If both the following apply: you live in a care home or an independent hospital (and have done so for 12 weeks or more before the qualifying week) you get State 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 1997/1998 to 1999/2000. From 2000/2001 time limits for claims were introduced.

This means that payments cannot be made for late claims for any of these years 2000/2001 onwards. Claims for these winters had to be made by 30 March for the relevant winter. For example, a claim for winter 2010/2011 had to be made by 30 March 2011.

Print and complete the claim with black ink and return to:

Freepost
Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Department for Work and Pensions
PO Box 22
Gateshead
NE92 1BX

Help from the Social Fund

When you are on a tight budget you may sometimes need extra help. Find out about other payments, grants or loans you may be able to get in the 'Help from the Social Fund' factsheet, which is available in a number of languages.