Winter Fuel Payment: How the heating allowance scheme works

What is the Winter Fuel Payment?

The Winter Fuel Payment, which is also referred to as the winter fuel allowance or heating allowance, is an annual tax-free payment of between £100 and £300 which helps people born on or before 25 September 1956 to pay for their heating in the winter.

These payments shouldn't be confused with Cold Weather Payments — which you could receive for spells of particularly cold weather on a weekly basis — or with the Warm Home Discount, which is a rebate applied to electricity bills.

Do I qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment?

You could qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment for the upcoming 2022-2023 season if:

• You were born on or before 25 September 1956

• You'll be living in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19-25 September 2022

Whether you qualify also depends on a few other factors. You won't qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment if, for the week of 19-25 September 2022:

• You were in prison

• You were in hospital getting free treatment for more than 52 weeks;

• You need permission to enter the UK under the stipulation that you cannot claim public funds

You also won't be eligible if you lived in a care home for the whole time between 27 June and 25 September 2022 and also received Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

Our interactive tool below can help you find out if you could be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment and other government schemes to help with your energy bills:

How much winter fuel allowance will I receive?

For more information on the types of households that qualify for Winter Fuel Payment, visit Gov.uk's dedicated page.

Do I need to claim my winter fuel allowance or will I be paid automatically?

You'll need to claim your Winter Fuel Payment if you didn't receive at least one of the following benefits during the week of 19-25 September 2022:

• State Pension

• Employment and Support Allowance

• Income Support

• Jobseeker's Allowance

• Pension Credit

• Attendance Allowance

• Bereavement Benefit

• Carer's Allowance

• Disability Living Allowance

• Graduated Retirement Benefit

• Incapacity Benefit

• Industrial Injuries Benefits

• Severe Disablement Allowance

• War Pension

• Widow's Benefit

If you're getting Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit only, you'll need to put in a claim to get winter fuel allowance. You'll also need to claim if you have received the Winter Fuel Payment before but your circumstances have changed.

How do I apply for the Winter Fuel Payment?

To apply, you will need to download an application form from the Direct Gov website, or get a claim form sent to you by calling the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160. Return your completed application form to:

Winter Fuel Payment Centre

Mail Handling Site A

Wolverhampton

WV98 1LR

The Winter Fuel Payment won't affect your other benefits and you won't have to pay Income Tax on it.

What if my situation changes (e.g. moving house)?

You never need to claim winter fuel allowance more than once. Your payments will be given to you every year automatically. If you move house, move overseas, or have someone move in with you, give the Winter Fuel Payment Centre a ring on 0800 731 0160.

How is the Winter Fuel Payment paid?

The Winter Fuel Payment is paid into your bank account or by cheque - it's up to you. If you're receiving benefits you'll get your Winter Fuel Payment in the same way. If you're part of a couple, and one or both of you are getting Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you'll get one joint payment. Payments for the winter 2021-22 season should be made automatically between November and December 2021 - if the money hasn't been paid by January 2023, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

Can a couple both receive the Winter Fuel Payment?

If your partner gets a Job Seeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit, the Winter Fuel Payment will be paid to your household. Otherwise, if you share your home with another qualifying person, you will each get a shared payment depending on your situation.

Can I claim winter fuel allowance for past winters?

If you are eligible, you can claim Winter Fuel Payments retrospectively for 1997/98 and 1999/2000. You can't make claims for past winters from 2000/2001 and onwards.

Is any other help available for my gas and electricity bills?

If you don't qualify for benefits like the Winter Fuel Payment, Cold Weather Payment or Warm Home Discount, you can at least see if there are cheaper energy deals available (though it's unlikely as long as the energy market remains volatile).

It takes minutes to run a quick comparison of your current plan. All you need is your postcode and tariff name to compare online with Uswitch.