Who can get it
Winter Fuel Payment is not means tested. You can get it if you’re working or claiming a benefit.
You can automatically qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2018/2019 if both the following apply:
- you have reached the qualifying age which means you were born on or before 5 November 1953
- you normally lived in Northern Ireland or Great Britain on any day throughout the week 17 to 23 September 2018 - this is known as the 'qualifying week'
You will not qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if, throughout the week of 17 to 23 September 2018, you:
- were in prison
- were in hospital getting free treatment for more than 52 weeks
- needed permission to enter the UK and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds
- have lived in a care home for the whole time between 25 June and 17 September 2018 and were receiving Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- lived in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain
You may still be able to get Cold Weather Payment, even if you do not qualify for Winter Fuel Payment.
Winter Fuel Payments abroad
You may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if you lived in another European Economic Area country or Switzerland throughout the week 17 to 23 September 2018 and you have a genuine and sufficient link with the UK social security system, such as having lived or worked in the UK for most of your life.
You can’t get the payment if you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK.
Make a claim for Winter Fuel Payment
To find out who needs to make a claim for the payment and how to go about it, visit the following page: