Ultimate Guide to Winter Fuel Payment in 2024

What is Winter Fuel Payment?

Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment introduced by the government. It’s designed to help those over State Pension age with their heating costs each winter. The payment is not means-tested but you must meet certain eligibility criteria.

In most cases, you won’t need to claim Winter Fuel Payment. It should be paid automatically during November and December.

Am I eligible for Winter Fuel Payment?

Winter Fuel Payment eligibility will depend on the following:

Qualifying age and circumstances

You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958.

You must also live in England or Wales and get one of the following:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support

If you live in Scotland, you might get an annual Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead.

You wouldn’t be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment if:

• You have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
• You need permission to enter the UK, and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
• You were in prison for the ‘qualifying week’. This year, this is 16^th- 22^nd September 2024

If you live in a care home, you could get a Winter Fuel Payment if:

• You get certain benefits and are eligible
• You lived in a care home for less than 13 weeks, including the week of 16^th-22^nd September 2024.

The Government is currently proposing changes to the Winter Fuel Payment. Further information is expected to be given as part of the Autumn Budget.

Residence requirements

To get the Winter Fuel Payment, you’ll need to have been living in the UK for the qualifying week.

In certain circumstances, you might get the payment if you live abroad. This includes if you live in another European Economic Area country or Switzerland, and you have a genuine link with the UK. This link can mean:

• Having lived or worked in the UK
• Having family in the UK

How much could you receive?

If you’re eligible for Winter Fuel Payment, you could get between £100 and £300, depending on your situation.

Note that the Winter Fuel Payment is no longer being boosted by the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment. This was an additional payment of between £150 and £300. It applied for winter 2022 to 2023 and winter 2023 to 2024.

Payment amounts for different situations

The table below outlines how much Winter Fuel Payment you could get.

Source: Age UK

How and when to apply

Most people won’t need to apply for Winter Fuel Payment. It should be paid automatically. But it’s important to know how to apply for Winter Fuel Payment in case this doesn’t happen.

Application process details

You should get Winter Fuel Payment automatically if you got a payment last winter and your situation hasn’t changed. You should also get it if you are receiving other benefits such as:

• State Pension
• Pension Credit
• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Carer’s Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Income Support
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Awards from the War Pensions Scheme
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Incapacity Benefit
• Industrial Death Benefit

If you don’t get any of these benefits and you’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment before, you’ll need to claim by post or phone. You might also need to do this if you live abroad.

Key deadlines for 2024

Winter Fuel Payment applications for winter 2024/25 will be available from the autumn.

• You can claim by post from 16 September 2024
• You can usually claim over the phone from early October

To claim by post, you’ll need to fill in the online form on the gov.uk website. To claim over the phone, call 0800 731 0160. Have your National Insurance number and bank account details to hand and keep an eye on claim deadlines.

Receiving your payment

It’s important to know exactly when the Winter Fuel Payment will be paid.

Payment methods and dates

Your payment should be made in November or December. You should receive a letter in October or November telling you:

• How much you’ll get
• Which account it will be paid into – this will likely be the same bank account as your State Pension or other benefits are paid

The payment’s reference should start with your National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP WFP’ (Department for Work and Pensions Winter Fuel Payment). In Northern Ireland, it will be ‘DFC WFP’ (Department for Communities Winter Fuel Payment).

What to do if you don't receive your payment

If you haven’t received your payment by the end of January, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to ask why. You’ll need to provide personal details such as:

1. Your name
2. Your address
3. Your date of birth
4. Your National Insurance number
   

If you disagree with the decision made about your claim, you can ask for it to be looked at again. This first step in the resolution process is known as a ‘mandatory reconsideration’. If things still don’t go your way, you can appeal to an independent tribunal.

How can the Winter Fuel Payment support you?

The Winter Fuel Payment is essentially a winter fuel allowance providing energy bills support. With the cost of living remaining high, the Winter Fuel Payment can help you with your heating costs so you can stay warm over the winter months.

For further financial help, it’s worth checking whether you can get other government heating grants and payments. These include the Cold Weather Payment and the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

FAQs

Can I receive the Winter Fuel Payment if I live abroad?

It’s possible to get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in another European Economic Area country or Switzerland, and you have a genuine link with the UK.

Does every pensioner receive the payment automatically?

Most pensioners will receive the Winter Fuel Payment automatically. But you might need to claim it yourself if you don’t receive certain benefits. This also applies if you’ve not had the Winter Fuel Payment before, or you live abroad.

How is the Winter Fuel Payment different from the Cold Weather Payment?

Both the Winter Fuel Payment and the Cold Weather Payment are one-off payments. They are generally paid automatically.

However, the Cold Weather Payment is significantly smaller at £25. Plus, you will need to be on a low income to get it. It’s only paid if the average temperature in your area has fallen to 0° Celsius or below for seven days in a row.

Can I still apply if I missed the deadline?

If you haven’t received a payment by the end of January, and you think you should have done so, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. You may still be able to get this pensioner fuel allowance.

Conclusion: Making the most of your Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment can provide valuable financial support during the colder months. Without it, heating your home could be a struggle. To be sure you don’t miss out, check whether you should get it automatically or if you’ll need to claim.

You can find more information about help with your heating bills on Citizens Advice, Age UK and MoneyHelper. You should also contact your energy supplier as soon as possible if you’re struggling to make a payment.