Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help you with heating costs during the colder months. The Government announced in July 2024 that, from this year onwards, to be eligible you must have reached State Pension age and also receive a qualifying means-tested benefit.

What is the Winter Fuel Payment?

Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment for households that include someone born on or before 22 September 1958 (for 2024-25) and, from 2024 onwards, receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or an award of Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit of at least £26 for the tax year 2024-25.

Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help you cover your heating costs over the winter months.

How much Winter Fuel Payment could I get?

If you are over State Pension age and receive a qualifying benefit, you could get £200 towards your bills. If you are over 80, you could get £300 to help with your bills in winter this year. Payments are made to the person claiming the benefit and are for the household.

You're not entitled to Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home or nursing home during the period 24 June to 22 September 2024.

Am I eligible for Winter Fuel Payment?

You may be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment in the winter of 2024-2025 if you meet all of the following criteria:

• you were born on or before 22 September 1958
• you receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or an award of Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit of at least £26 for the tax year 2024-25
• you were living in England or Wales for the qualifying week.

The qualifying week is the week beginning from the third Monday in September. This is 16 to 22 September 2024. 

How to claim Winter Fuel Payment

If you or your partner claims Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, the payment should go to the main claimant of the benefit automatically. 

If you've never received a Winter Fuel Payment before, or if you claim Universal Credit, you might need to make a claim. And if you receive Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, you must make a claim.

You should receive your payment between mid-November and Christmas. Call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 if you have any enquiries or you don't receive your payment.