Cold weather and winter fuel payments
Winter Fuel Payments are intended to help towards the costs of extra heating, used during the winter to keep warm. An annual payment is made to eligible people. Most payments are made automatically but some people may need to claim them.
Cold Weather Payments are issued during periods of very cold weather to help towards heating costs. A set amount is automatically paid to any eligible person each week of very cold weather.
Do I qualify?
Winter Fuel Payments are made to every household where there is at least one person aged 60 or over in the qualifying week of each year. The qualifying week is usually the third week in September. It does not matter what income or savings you have.
Households with someone aged 80 or over in the qualifying week can get an additional payment.
Cold Weather Payments can be paid if:
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You receive Pension Credit, Income Support of income-based Jobseekers Allowance; and
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If you get Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance, this includes a disability premium or a disabled child premium, or you are responsible for a child under 5, or you get the disabled child element of Child Tax Credit; and
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There is a period of at least 7 consecutive days where the average daily temperature recorded at your local weather station is 0 degrees C or below.
You will receive a Cold Weather Payment for every full week of Cold Weather in which you qualify.
To find out whether you could qualify, you can contact the Benefits Maximisation Service for a full benefits check.
How much is it?
Winter Fuel Payments
During the qualifying week:
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If you live alone or are the only eligible person in your household, you should get £200 (£300 if you are aged 80 or over)
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If both you and another person are eligible, if you receive Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance you should get £200 (£300 if you are aged 80 or over)
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If both you and another person are eligible and you do not receive Pension Credit or Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance you should get £100 (£150 if you are aged 80 or over)
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If you live in a care home and do not get Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you should get £100 (£150 if you are aged 80 or over)
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If you live in a care home and receive Pension Credit or income-based Jobseekers Allowance, you cannot receive a Winter fuel Payment.
This year (2008-09) the government will also make an additional one-off payment of £100 for people aged 80 or over, and £50 for people aged 60 or over.
Cold Weather Payments
£8.50 is paid for every full week of Cold Weather.
How do I apply?
Both Winter fuel and Cold Weather Payments should be paid to you automatically. You do not have to make a claim.
Winter Fuel Payments are usually made between mid-November and Christmas.
Cold Weather payments should be made shortly after the week of Cold Weather.
The Benefits Maximisation Service can provide personal advice on what you may be entitled to and help you make a claim. For more information go to Benefits Maximisation Service.
What if I am not satisfied with the decision?
If you think you should have received a payment you should contact your local Jobcentre Plus office.
Our Benefits Maximisation Service can help you with revisions and appeals.
What if my circumstances change?
Your entitlement to Winter fuel or Cold Weather Payments can only be considered based on your circumstances at the time of the qualifying week.
For an easy way to find out which benefits might apply to you and your circumstances go to What can I claim?
The Benefits Maximisation Service can provide personal advice on what you may be entitled to and help you make a claim. For more information go to Benefits Maximisation Service.
Disclaimer
Although every effort is made to ensure the information on these pages is accurate and up to date, it should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.