Winter Fuel Payments:

A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help people aged 60 and over with their winter heating bills.

If you are aged 60-79 and you are entitled to receive a Winter Fuel Payment, you will get either £100 or £200, depending on your circumstances in the qualifying week (19-25 September 2005).

If you are aged 80 or over and you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment, you will get an extra £50 or £100, depending on your circumstances in the qualifying week.

So, if you are aged 80 or over, you could get up to £300.

Do I qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment?

You should qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment for the winter of 2005/06 if during the qualifying week of 19-25 September 2005:

you will be aged 60 or over; and
you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.

People who cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment

You will not qualify for a payment if during the qualifying week of 19 to 25 September 2005 you:

are in hospital getting free inpatient treatment and have been getting such treatment for more than 52 weeks;
live with your husband, wife or partner and they get Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (they will get the £200 Winter Fuel Payment);
are in custody serving a sentence imposed by a court (you are not on remand);
are subject to immigration control and not eligible for help from the Department for Work and Pensions (for example, an asylum seeker who claimed asylum at the port of entry after 3 April 2000); or
are living in a care home throughout that week and the 12 weeks before, and get Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

How do I get it?

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

All automatic Winter Fuel Payments should be made by Christmas 2005. If you have not had your Winter Fuel Payment by then, you should call the office that deals with your benefit.

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 week of 19 to 25 September 2005, you are aged 60 or over and will be 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.

How will you pay me my Winter Fuel Payment?

We will pay your Winter Fuel Payment into your bank, building society or post office card account, or as a cheque or payable order sent to your home address.

For any other information on Winter Fuel Payments try the helpline.

Winter Fuel Payments | Funeral Expenses | Cold Weather Payment
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