Winter Fuel Payment - payments and rates
The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you can receive each winter can vary according to your personal circumstances. Your age or other people living with you who are also eligible can affect the amount you receive.
Winter Fuel Payment rates
How much you get depends on your circumstances during the qualifying week. The qualifying week for winter 2023 to 2024 is 18 to 24 September 2023.
Winter Fuel Payment is tax free and does not affect your other benefits.
Amounts of Winter Fuel Payment for 2023/2024 will vary according to your personal circumstances:
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
You’ll get either:
- £500 if you were born between 25 September 1943 and 24 September 1957
- £600 if you were born before 25 September 1943
If you live with someone else who’s eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
Your payment may be different if you get one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
If you do not get any of the benefits
You’ll get a payment of either:
- £250 if you and the person you live with were both born between 25 September 1943 and 24 September 1957
- £250 if you were born between 25 September 1943 and 24 September 1957 but the person you live with was born before 25 September 1943
- £350 if you were born before 25 September 1943 but the person you live with was born between 25 September 1943 and 24 September 1957
- £300 if you and the person you live with were both born before 25 September 1943
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits
One of you will get a payment of either:
- £500 if both of you were born between 25 September 1943 and 24 September 1957
- £600 if one or both of you were born before 25 September 1943
You’ll be paid into the bank account your benefits are usually paid into.
If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim)
You’ll get a payment of either:
- £500 if you were born between 25 September 1943 and 24 September 1957
- £600 if you were born before 25 September 1943
If you live in a care home
If you’re eligible, you’ll get either:
- £250 if you were born between 25 September 1943 and 25 September 1957
- £300 if you were born before 25 September 1943
How and when you’re paid
You’ll get a letter telling you how much you will get and an estimated payment date.
Most payments are made automatically in November or December.
If you do not get a letter or the money is not paid into your account in November or December, contact the Winter Fuel payment Centre.
All benefits, pensions and allowances are paid into an account, such as a bank account.
If you do not think you have been paid, you should check your account before contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.