Winter Fuel Payment

A winter fuel payment can help you pay your heating bills. If you are eligible you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a 'Winter Fuel Payment'.

If you were born before 25 September 1957 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

If you are eligible, you will get a letter in October or November saying how much you will get.

If you do not get a letter but you think you are eligible , check if you need to make a claim.

Deadline for winter 2023

If you’ve got a Winter Fuel Payment before, you do not need to claim again unless you’ve deferred your State Pension or moved abroad.

The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2023 to 2024 is 31 March 2024.

When you’ll be paid

If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 26 January 2024, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre

Any money you get will not affect your other benefits.

Winter Fuel Payments are different to Cold Weather Payments.

Cost of Living Support Payment

The amount you’ll get includes a ‘pensioner cost of living payment’ first paid in winter 2022 to 2023 This is between £150 and £300. You will get this extra amount again in winter 2023 to 2024. This is in addition to any other Cost of Living Payments you get with your benefit or tax credits.

Find out more about Cost of Living support

If you live in Northern Ireland

If you live in Northern Ireland and want to claim you can do this by phone:

Winter Fuel Payment Centre

You can also claim by post, by downloading and completing the Winter Fuel Payment application form below and posting to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre:

Download the Winter Fuel Payment application form

If you live in Switzerland or an eligible EEA country

Winter Fuel Payment claim form: EEA and Switzerland

Find out more about Winter Fuel Payment on the following pages:

Appealing against a benefits decision

Find out more about Winter Fuel Payment on the following pages:

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Extra comments (optional)

Winter Fuel Payment

Deadline for winter 2023

When you’ll be paid

Cost of Living Support Payment

If you live in Northern Ireland

If you live in Switzerland or an eligible EEA country

Translation help

Help improve this page - send your feedback

Messages

What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment