The Government has introduced a range of support measures to combat the UK’s cost of living crisis, from a £150 disability payment to a one-off council tax rebate earlier this year.
It has come as households battle soaring energy prices, with Liz Truss stepping in to announce that the energy price cap would be frozen at £2,500 a year from October, rather than increasing to £3,549 as previously announced.
Among the payments still to be issued in autumn and winter are the second part of the £650 cost of living payment, a staggered £400 energy bills rebate and a boosted winter fuel payment.
Here is everything you need to know about the winter fuel payment, and how it’s different this year.
What is the winter fuel payment?
The winter fuel payment, also referred to as a “heating allowance”, is an annual tax-free payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for older people.
Anyone who is eligible can receive £100-300 each year. This year, the Government will give about eight million pensioners an extra £300 to help with the cost of living crisis.
Who qualifies for the winter fuel payment?
The winter fuel payment will be made available for households that include someone born on or before 25 September 1956.
You must also live in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19-25 September 2022.
If you do not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you might still get the payment if both the following apply:
- You live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area (EEA) country;
- You have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK – this can include having lived or worked in the UK, and having family in the UK.
You cannot get the payment if you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK.
Do I need to apply for the payment?
You don’t typically have to apply for the winter fuel payment if you are eligible. You should receive the money automatically.
If you have not had the payment before, you will need to claim if any of the following apply:
- You do not get benefits or a state pension;
- You only get housing benefit, council tax reduction, child benefit or universal credit;
- You get benefits or a state pension but live in Switzerland or an EEA country;
- You get an adult disability payment from the Scottish government.
You can claim winter fuel payment by phone or by post. Call 0800 731 0160 (+44 191 218 7777 from outside the UK) or find the claim form here.
Before you call, you will need to know your:
- National insurance number;
- Bank or building society details;
- BIC and IBAN numbers if you live in an EEA country or Switzerland;
- Date you were married or entered into a civil partnership (if appropriate).
Claims will be accepted until 31 March 2023.
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How much will I get?
The amount you will get depends on when you were born, your living situation and the type of benefits you receive. Those benefits that can affect your payment are:
- Pension credit;
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA);
- Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA);
- Income support.
The figures below include the additional grant from DWP.
People born between 26 September 1942 and 25 September 1956, not on certain benefits:
- You live alone or with no one else who qualifies – £500
- You live with someone who also qualifies – £250
- You live in a care home – £250
People born on or before 25 September 1942, not on certain benefits:
- You live alone or with no one else who qualifies – £600
- You live with someone under 80 who also qualifies – £350
- You live with someone over 80 who also qualifies – £300
- You live in a care home – £300
People born between 26 September 1942 and 25 September 1956, and receive at least one of the listed benefits:
- You live alone or with no one else who qualifies – £500
- You live with a partner who also qualifies, and either of you gets the benefits – £500 (only one of you gets the payment)
- You live with someone (not your partner) who qualifies, and either of you gets one of the benefits – £500 (you’ll both get the payment)
- You live in a care home – £0
People born on or before 25 September 1942, and receive at least one of the listed benefits:
- You live alone or with no one else who qualifies – £600
- You live with a partner who also qualifies, and either of you gets the benefits – £600 (only one of you gets the payment)
- You live with someone (not your partner) who qualifies, and either of you gets one of the benefits – £600 (you’ll both get the payment)
- You live in a care home – £0
When will it be paid?
When he was chancellor, Rishi Sunak promised in the House of Commons that the winter fuel payment would be with pensioners by autumn 2022.
You will get a letter telling you how much you’ll get and an estimated payment date. You should be paid by 13 January 2023 at the very latest. If you do not get your payment, contact the winter fuel payment centre.
