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Keeping your home warm in the winter can be expensive so benefits like the Winter Fuel Payment can make all the difference. The benefit was introduced in 1997 for older people who feel the cold more, are less active and stay indoors more. The fuel poverty charity NEA estimates that around 4 million UK households are unable to afford sufficient heating, and in January 2023 it reported there were around 4000 excess deaths during the winter months.
If you are an older person and receive certain benefits, you may be eligible for financial support with your heating bills.
Changes to Winter Fuel Payment
On 11 September 2024, it was confirmed the Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300 will become a means-tested benefit for people living in England and Wales.
This means that from 16 September 2024, to be eligible for Winter Fuel Payment you’ll need to be of State Pension age AND be receiving a qualifying benefit.
Previously it was for everyone over State Pension age.
Qualifying benefits include:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
Scrapping Winter Fuel Payment for better off pensioners is expected to reduce the number of people receiving the payment from 11.4 million to 1.5 million. The Winter Fuel Payment was introduced in 1997 by the Labour Government to help older people with their heating costs.
Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales
Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free lump payment to help you to heat your home in the winter.
How much is it?
The payment is either £200 or £300, depending on your date of birth and whether or not you live alone.
If you or your partner were born before 23 September 1944, it should be £300.
Payments are usually made in November and December.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible if:
- You were born on or before 23 September 1958 (this is for the winter of 2024/25, the qualifying birth date changes each year).
- You receive certain means-tested benefits (see above)
- You live in England or Wales
Qualifying Week
Qualifying Week is a particular week of the year when eligibility criteria for Winter Fuel Payment must be met in order for you to qualify. For the winter of 2024/25, Qualifying Week is 16 – 22 September 2024.
At this time, to qualify, you must:
- Be of State Pension age
- Receive the qualifying benefits
- Live in England or Wales
- Not be in prison
- Not live in a care home. Care home residents can be eligible if they have lived there for less than 13 weeks and did not live there during Qualifying Week.
How to claim
You should get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if you’re eligible. If you haven’t received the payment and think you could be eligible, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. You might need to provide your National Insurance Number.
Telephone
Inside the UK: 0800 731 0160
Outside the UK: +44 (0)191 218 7280
Relay UK (if you can’t hear or speak): dial 18001 then 0800 731 0160
Complete this email enquiry form.
Post
Write to:
Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1LR (or WV98 1ZU if writing from outside the UK)
UK
Winter fuel payments in Scotland and Northern Ireland
The Scottish Government was planning to bring in a new benefit called the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP). This would be similar to the Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales and was due to be introduced in 2024/2025. However following the announcement for England and Wales on 11 September 2024, the Scottish Government has had its funding budget cut and will no longer be bringing it in as a universal benefit and will make it means-tested.
The Northern Ireland Executive will also make the Winter Fuel Payment in Northern Ireland means-tested.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount Scheme works with energy suppliers to give you a discount on your electricity bill for the winter.
If your electricity supplier also supplies you with gas, you could get a discount on your gas bill instead.
How much is it?
You could save £150.
Who is eligible?
You could be eligible if you either:
- Receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- Or you’re on a low income
You’ll need to be with a participating energy supplier.
You may also be eligible if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter, but you’ll need to contact your supplier directly for more information.
How to claim
You will be able to claim Warm Home Discount from October 2024.
If you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you should get a letter between October and December telling you how to apply.
If you don’t get the letter, or otherwise think you’re eligible and would like to apply, you can contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Telephone
0800 731 0214
Post
Write to:
110552 Warm Home Discount Scheme
PO Box 26965
Glasgow
G1 9BW
Cold Weather Payment
If the temperature where you live drops below 0 degrees Celsius (27 degrees Fahrenheit) for 7 consecutive days or more, you could get some money to help to pay towards heating your home.
How much is it?
The payment is £25 for each 7 day period of below-freezing weather where you live, between 1 November and 31 March.
You can check how many payments are available in your area by typing in your postcode.
Who is eligible?
You could be eligible if you receive:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit and you’re employed or self-employed and either:
- Have a child under 5 who lives with you
- Or have a health condition or disability that limits your capacity to work
- Income support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and have:
- A disabled child
- A child under 5 who lives with you
- A disability or pensioner premium
- Or receive Child Tax Credit that includes a disability element
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance and you are in a work-related support group or have:
- A disabled child
- A child under 5 who lives with you
- An enhanced or severe disability premium
- A pensioner premium
- Child Tax credit that includes an enhanced or severe disability element
- Support for Mortgage Interest have:
- A disabled child
- A child under 5 who lives with you
- An enhanced or severe disability premium
- A pensioner premium
- Child Tax credit that includes an enhanced or severe disability element
How to claim
You don’t need to apply, you’ll receive the payment automatically if you’re eligible.
National Concessionary Fuel Scheme
If you are an ex-employee of the National Coal Board or the British Coal Corporation, or the widow or widower of one, you could get free solid fuel (such as wood or coal) or money for fuel.
How much is it?
You could get solid fuel delivered to your home every few weeks, or a payment every 3 months.
Who is eligible?
You could be eligible if you are:
- An ex-employee of the National Coal Board or the British Coal Corporation
- The widow or widower of an ex-employee of the National Coal Board or the British Coal Corporation
Certain changes, such as remarrying, could affect your eligibility.
How to claim
To claim, contact the National Concessionary Fuel Office.
Telephone
0345 759 0529 or 0370 386 9961
ncfo@capta.co.uk
Post
National Concessionary Fuel Office
PO Box 64
Sheffield
S1 1XL
Fuel Direct
If you are in receipt of certain benefits and are struggling with debt to your energy supplier, you may be able to have your heating bills partially or fully paid for directly from your benefits. This means the benefits you receive in your bank account will be lower each month while some of the money goes directly to paying off the debt. The deduction will also pay towards your current energy bill.
Eligible benefits include:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
To apply, speak to your nearest Jobcentre Plus, or the Pension Service if you receive Pension Credit.
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