Winter Fuel Payment - APPLY

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A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment from the Government to help people aged 60 and over with the costs of keeping warm during the winter.

For the 2011/12 winter, if you were born on or before 5 January 1951 you may qualify to receive a Winter Fuel Payment. Here are the qualifying dates for the Winter Fuel Allowance through to 2025/26.

The amount you will receive will depend on your circumstances during the qualifying week each year.

If you're aged 80 or over you may be entitled to an increased payment.

You do not pay tax on Winter Fuel Payments.

Do I qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment?

For full details on whether you qualify please visit Who Can Get It.

Payments may continue if you leave or have left the United Kingdom and are living in another EEA country.

How do I get it?

I got a Winter Fuel Payment last year. What do I need to do?

If you got a Winter Fuel Payment last winter, you should have automatically got one this winter as long as your circumstances have not changed.

If your circumstances have changed, you must tell The Pension Service about the change as soon as possible. You can ring the office that pays your benefit or contact the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 08459 15 15 15.

If you were getting a State Pension or other social security benefit last year (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit), you will need to make a claim for this winter's payment.

I did not get a Winter Fuel Payment last year. What do I need to do?

You should get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically if, during the qualifying week, you are aged 60 or over and are getting a State Pension or other social security benefit (but not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit).You should not have to do anything to get your Winter Fuel Payment.

Otherwise, if you were aged 60 or over and think you may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, you need to make a claim. You can get a claim form by calling 08459 15 15 15 or downloading the Winter Fuel Payment Claim Form

If your claim last year was unsuccessful and your circumstances have changed, you might now qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment.

How will you pay me my Winter Fuel Payment?

The Pension Service will pay your Winter Fuel Payment into your bank, building society or post office account, or as a cheque or payable order sent to your home address:

• If you are receiving a State Pension or other social security benefit
• If you get a benefit or pension paid directly into a bank or building society account, The Pension Service will normally pay your Winter Fuel Payment into the same account. Otherwise, The Pension Service will send a cheque to your home address. The Pension Service may send some people a payable order instead. The Pension Service will send you a letter telling you when and how they will make the payment.

For more information visit Winter Fuel Payment

Energy suppliers are continually changing their tariffs.We recommend you conduct a review of your energy use by visting Seniors Discounts every 12 months and following our simple 1-2-3 steps to save money on energy costs.