Winter fuel payment

Key takeaways

• The Winter Fuel Payment is now effectively means-tested and is reserved for pensioners on Pension Credit and other benefits in England and Wales providing them with £200 or £300, depending on age and circumstances

• In England and Wales to be eligible you must be of state pension age and receiving Pension Credit or other qualifying benefits with an income of less than £218.15 per week for individuals and £332.95 for couples

• Most eligible individuals receive the payment automatically but you can apply via Gov.uk or call 0800 731 0160 by 31 March 2025 if a payment is not automatically received

For many older people on tight budgets, the drop in temperature that winter brings comes with increased anxiety over escalating energy costs.

It's during these chilly months that the government-funded Winter Fuel Payment can provide much welcome relief, helping the elderly manage their heating bills and maintain comfort in their homes.

Who's eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment?

The eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2024/25 have changed, with the result that it's now effectively means-tested.

Until this year, all Britons of state-pension age qualified for the Winter Fuel Payment. However reforms introduced by Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean that in England and Wales it's now solely reserved for pensioners who are in receipt of Pension Credit and other benefits.

At the time of writing, pensioners in Scotland and Northern Ireland currently continue to qualify irrespective of their financial circumstances. However, this may change in the near future.

Pension credit is means-tested. That means qualification depends on your financial circumstances, including your income.

As it stands, to qualify you'll need to be above state pension age right now and be in receipt of an income less than £218.15 per week. Or if you have a partner, you'll need to have a joint income of less than £332.95.

The level of savings you have will also influence your eligibility. If you have over £10,000, it can affect how much you receive.

And finally, irrespective of income or savings, you may still qualify for Pension Credit if you are a carer, are disabled or are liable for housing costs.

Eligibility for Winter Fuel Payment if you live outside the UK

Non-UK residents can potentially claim the Winter Fuel Payment if they moved to an eligible country before 31st December 2020 and were born before 23rd September 1958.

Countries that are eligible are those in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. These are:

• Austria

• Belgium

• Bulgaria

• Croatia

• Czech Republic

• Denmark

• Estonia

• Finland

• Germany

• Hungary

• Iceland

• Ireland

• Italy

• Latvia

• Liechtenstein

• Lithuania

• Luxembourg

• Netherlands

• Norway

• Poland

• Romania

• Slovakia

• Slovenia

• Sweden

• Switzerland

However, those who have chosen to retire under the sunnier skies of countries like Spain or Greece are not eligible.

Other qualifying criteria for overseas Winter Fuel Payment claimants

To claim you'll also need what gov.co.uk terms a 'genuine and sufficient link to the UK'. This could include living or working in the UK, or having family in the UK.

You must also be in receipt of a benefit paid by the UK, such as State Pension, as well as a means-tested qualifying benefit in your country of residence, which is equivalent to:

• Pension Credit

• Universal Credit

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Income Support

• Working Tax Credit

• Child Tax Credit

Disqualifying circumstances for overseas claimants

Certain circumstances, however, can disqualify an individual from receiving the Winter Fuel Payment even if they live in a qualifying country. These include:

• Being incarcerated during the qualifying week.

• Undergoing free hospital treatment for more than a year.

• Lacking the permission to enter the UK and claim public funds.

• Living in a care home and receiving certain benefits during the qualifying week.

How much will I get with the Winter Fuel Payment?

If you live alone and qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, you could either get:

• £200, in the event you were born between 23rd September 1944 and 22nd September 1958

• £300, in the event you were before 23rd September 1944

If you and your partner jointly claim qualifying benefits, one of you will get the Winter Fuel Payment. This could be worth:

• £200, in the event you were both were born between 23rd September 1944 and 22nd September 1958

• £300, in the event that one or both of you were born before 23rd September 1944

How to claim your benefit

Provided you're deemed to qualify, you'll receive the payment automatically to your bank account.

For those who do not automatically receive the payment, there's a straightforward application process.

You can apply by going to Gov.uk or calling 0800 731 0160. You have until 31 March 2025 to claim for the 24/25 winter season. Be sure to have your National Insurance number and bank details at the ready.

When will I receive my Winter Fuel Payment?

Recipients can expect the Winter Fuel Payment to arrive between November and December. If the payment hasn't been received by 29th January 2025, it's important to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre promptly.

Other schemes to help with energy bills

Beyond the Winter Fuel Payment, other support schemes are available:

• The Warm Home Discount Scheme offers up to £140 off electricity bills.

• Cold Weather Payments provide £25 for each week of very cold weather experienced between November and March.

These additional schemes can offer further financial relief during the colder months.

The Winter Fuel Payment isn't the only support available. If you live in a low income or vulnerable household, you could benefit from the warm home discount scheme that gives a discount of up to £140 on electricity bills over the winter months.

Moreover, during particularly cold snaps, eligible older people can receive Cold Weather Payments to help manage the chill.

This is earmarked for older people claiming certain benefits, regardless of age, and offers a payment of £25 each time there’s a week of very cold weather – zero degrees celsius or below – between November and March. This is paid automatically if you qualify. For more information see our cold weather payments guide.