What is the Winter Fuel Payment?
Up to now the Winter Fuel Payment has been paid to all pensioners to help with energy bills. That changes this year and it will only be paid to pensioners on low incomes who receive certain benefits, a key one being Pension Credit.
If you are not claiming pension credit but think you might be eligible, the last date to claim it so that you can also receive the Winter Fuel payment is 21st December 2024.
Pension credit
Pension Credit is a state pension top up, which is worth thousands of pounds a year. It is estimated that 880,000 eligible pensioners fail to claim Pension Credit.
You could be eligible for Pension Credit if you are above state pension age and have an income of less that £218.15 a week, or less than £332.95 as a joint weekly income with your partner. Savings are also taken into account.
Check if you are eligible for Pension Credit
You can check your eligibility for Pension Credit via the government's online calculator.
Eligibility for Winter Fuel Payment 2024
If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get.
If you do not get a letter but you think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958, live in Engand or Wales and get one of the following:-
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Don't forget! The final date for making a backdated claim for Pension Credit, in order to receive the Winter Fuel Payment, is 21 December.