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Winter Fuel Payment & Pension Credit

Winter Fuel Payment & Pension Credit

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 You Can 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.

Eligibility 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. 

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.

Changes to Winter Fuel Payment Entitlement

With the recent changes to Winter Fuel Payment entitlement which means that Pensioners have to be in receipt of Pension Credit to qualify we have put together some information as an overview of who’s eligible for Pension Credit and how to claim. If you’re eligible, it’s particularly important to claim Pension Credit now, as it means you can get the Winter Fuel Payment.

For more detailed information about Pension Credit and other benefits, see our Pension Credit and More money in your pocket guides.

What is Pension Credit? Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for older people.

There are 2 parts and you can be entitled to both:

  • Guarantee Credit – which brings a household’s income up to a guaranteed minimum
  • Savings Credit – can provide extra money to some people who already have higher savings or income.

What is the Winter Fuel Payment?

Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment for households including a person over State Pension age receiving a qualifying benefit. (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit award of at least £26 for 2024/25). For the Winter of 2024-25, you qualify if you were born on or before 22 September 1958 and you get a qualifying benefit.

Claiming Pension Credit now means you can get the Winter Fuel Payment for the winter 2024-25.

Households that are eligible normally receive this payment automatically.

If you have any questions about the Winter Fuel Payment, call 0800 731 0160 or see www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

How to claim Pension Credit

To claim Pension Credit, either: go to www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim to apply online.

or call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm)

You can request a paper form by calling the number above – or print a copy at www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-claim-form--2

Pension Credit claims must be made by 21 December 2024 to unlock the Winter Fuel Payment in winter 2024-25. If you want to apply by phone, you need to call to apply by 20 December 2024.

It’s useful to have the following details to hand when making a claim:

  • National Insurance number
  • bank account details
  • details of income, savings and investments
  • information about pension (if applicable)
  • details of any housing costs (such as service charges or ground rent)

Which part can I claim?

You may be eligible for Guarantee Credit if

  • Single people and couples where both partners have reached State Pension age (66 years old for both men and women)
  • those with an income of less than £218.15 (if they’re single), or less than £332.95 (if they’re a couple). You may still qualify if you have extra costs, for example, because you have a disability or you care for someone, including looking after a child who lives with you.

You may be eligible for Savings Credit if:

l those who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016

l couples that both reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016

Where to find advice: If you need support with applying for Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Payment or need any other benefits advice then you can contact the Advice & Information Team at Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Havering on 020 8220 6000