Rachel Lawrence October 2, 2024

Radical changes to the Winter Fuel Payment announced this summer mean that millions of pensioners are no longer entitled to this support to help them with the cost of soaring energy bills.

Under previous rules, if you were born before 23 September 1958 you would have qualified for either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills this winter. The amount you’d receive would’ve depended on your age and was worked out on a ‘per household’ basis, regardless of your income.

However, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves has removed the payment from millions of pensioners, so that now only those claiming Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits will qualify this winter.

Here, we explain everything you need to know about the Winter Fuel Payment and who now qualifies. Find out more about financial support for energy costs in our guide Are you eligible for help with heating costs?

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Winter Fuel Payment Explained: Who is eligible?

Winter Fuel Payment (or Winter Fuel Allowance, as it’s sometimes called) is designed to help some people aged 66 and over to pay their gas and electricity bills in the winter.

To qualify, you must 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 may receive an annual Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead of the Winter Fuel Payment.

As well as needing to claim benefits, your household will only be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment provided you’ve been living in the UK for at least one day between September 16 and September 22 this year.

How much Winter Fuel Payment will you receive?

If you live on your own, you’ll get either:

  • £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958
  • £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944

If you live with someone else and you are jointly claiming benefits, you’ll get either:

  • £200 if both of you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958
  • £300 if one or both of you were born before 23 September 1944

Do you get the Winter Fuel Payment if you’re in a care home?

Provided you were born before 23 September 1958, you will be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment if you’re claiming benefits and live in a care home. You’ll receive either £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958, or £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944.

How is the Winter Fuel Payment paid?

If you get your State Pension or other benefits paid into your bank account, that’s how you’ll receive your Winter Fuel Payment too.

Find out more about making a claim and the information you’ll need to provide here.

When is the Winter Fuel Payment made?

The government writes to people in November and December telling them when they will receive their Winter Fuel Payment. Most payments are made automatically in November or December. You should get your money by 29 January 2025 at the latest.

If you’ve not received a letter or payment by January, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payments helpline on 0800 731 0160.

Who doesn’t get Winter Fuel Payment?

Some people who live in a care home and those who don’t live in the UK at a specified date may lose out. You won’t get Winter Fuel Payment if:

  • You don’t normally live in the UK during the week of the 16-22 September 2024. The rules say that you have to normally live in the UK for any day during that week.
  • You have been in hospital for a year getting free treatment.

What should I do if I’m on a low income but not claiming benefits?

It’s vital to check whether you’re eligible for Pension Credit as soon as possible as it could not only provide you with valuable retirement income, but it may also help you qualify for other benefits, including the Winter Fuel Payment.

You can find out if you’re eligible for Pension Credit and how much you can get using the Gov.uk Pension Credit calculator.

If you do qualify, you can make a Pension Credit claim by phone using the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234. If you’d rather make a paper application, you can request one on the above number, or you can download and print a Pension Claim form here. Find out everything you need to know about Pension Credit in our guide Pension Credit explained.

Other help with heating costs

If you’re not eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you might still qualify for other help with your heating bills. Find out more in our guide Are you eligible for help with heating costs?

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Rachel Lawrence

Rachel Lawrence is a freelance journalist and regular contributor to Rest Less.

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