If you're over 60 or on a low-income you could be eligible for help towards the cost of your energy bills this winter - we explain who qualifies for this extra payment.
With the winter nights drawing in and temperatures dropping, many of us will be turning up our heating to help keep warm. But as frugal as many of us will try to be with our heating, gas and electricity bills can still mount up and will be more of a drain on your household finances during the coldest months of the year.
Fortunately there’s help at hand for those who are aged 60 and over or are on a low-income – though the payout you’ll get is dependent on a combination of different circumstances. We explain how to claim Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments to help towards the cost of heating your home.
Who is eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment?
A Winter Fuel Payment can be anything between £125 and £400, and everyone over 60 living in the UK should receive this.
If you are aged over 60 and are getting a State Pension or another benefit (though this doesn’t include Council Tax benefit, Housing Benefit, or Child Benefit), your Winter Fuel Payment should automatically be paid to you along with your pension or benefit. You’ll also be eligible for a payment if your partner is getting Pension Credit or Income Support, and has already received a Winter Fuel Payment.
If you’re aged over 60 but don’t receive State Pension or another benefit, you’ll have to claim your Winter Fuel Payment yourself by filling in and sending off this form, using these notes to help you. You can also pick up this form at your local Post Office or JobCentre Plus.
Who is eligible for a Cold Weather Payment?
A Cold Weather Payment is designed to help those on a low-income cope with the cost of heating their home at times when it’s particularly cold in the area they live.
You’ll be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you are getting Income Support or have:
- A pensioner premium.
- A disability premium.
- A disabled child premium.
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability element.
- A child under 5.
How much do I get for a Winter Fuel Payment?
The amount of help you’ll get towards your heating costs from the Winter Fuel Payment varies depending on your circumstances.
- If you’re aged between 60 and 79 and live on your own or are the only person in your home that is eligible, you’ll receive £250 per year.
- If you’re aged between 60 and 79 and get Pension Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance, you’ll receive £250 per year.
- If you’re aged between 60 and 79 and you live with someone else who is eligible, you’ll receive £125 per year.
- If you’re aged 80 or over and live on your own or are the only person in your home that is eligible, you’ll receive £400 per year.
- If you’re aged 80 or over and get Pension Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance, you’ll receive £400 per year.
- If you’re aged 80 or over and you live with someone else who is eligible, you’ll receive £200 a year (or £275 if you’re the only one in your household who is 80 or over).
How much do I get for a Cold Weather Payment?
If you’re eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll receive £25 for every week that the average temperature in your local area drops to 0 degrees C or lower for 7 days in a row between 1st November and 31st March. There’s no need to apply for the payment – you should receive the payment directly into your bank account for every week that the temperature drops below zero for 7 consecutive days.
What if I’m eligible and haven’t received anything?
If you think you are eligible for either the Winter Fuel Payment or Cold Weather Payment but haven’t received anything, it’s worth contacting JobCentre Plus and explaining your situation, as they may be able to back-date payments for you as well as make sure you are getting either the relevant help from now on.
It’s also worth visiting Direct.gov if you’d like to find out more about the winter fuel payments.
