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You could be eligible to receive this payment if you are over 60. If you live in another EU country, you can still claim, provided you became eligible before leaving Britain. Winter Fuel Allowance is dealt with by The Pensions Service
It is a one-off payment to help older people with their winter heating bills.
Can you get it?
How much is it?
80-plus annual payment
How to claim
When is it paid
Payments for past winters
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2011/2012 if:
• you were born on or before 5 January 1951
• and you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland
• you became eligible in a previous year while living in Britain, and you now live in another EU country or Switzerland
• however, some people cannot get Winter Fuel Payment
You aren't entitled if:
In the week 19 - 25 September 2011
• you have been in hospital for 52 weeks or more
• you are in custody under sentence
• you are subject to immigration control and not eligible for help from the Department for Work and Pensions.
• you lived in a care home, an independent hospital or Ilford Park Polish Resettlement Home for 12 weeks or more, and you were receiving Pension Credit, income-related Jobseekers Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance
If you are aged between 60 and 80, you should get:
• £200 if you are the only eligible person in your household
• £100 if there are other eligible people in your household
• £200 if you qualified for and received Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance, even if there are other eligible people in your household
• £100 if you live in a care home and don't receive Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance
if you were aged 80 or over during the qualifying week you should get:
• £300 if you are the only eligible person in your household
• £150 if there are other eligible people in your household over 80
• £200 if there are other eligible people in your household under 80
• £300 if you receive Pension Credit, even if there are other eligible people in your household
• £150 if you live in a care home and don't receive Pension Credit
You don't need to claim your 80+ Annual Payment, it should be paid automatically
You should get your payment automatically if:
• you are aged 60 or over and getting a social security benefit (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit) in the qualifying week of 19 - 25 September 2011.
• you got a payment last winter (2010/2011), as long as your circumstances have not changed.
Other people will need to claim. The Pensions Service sends claim forms to people identified as likely to become entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for the first time this year. If you think you may need to claim, but have not received a claim form by the end of July, you can ring the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0845 915 1515 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users). Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm and calls are charged at local rates.
You can download a claim form here.
Winter Fuel Payments will be made over a number of weeks from early November 2011.
All claims for winter 2011/2012 should be in before 30 March 2012.
Fuel payments for past winters
The Government has been making Winter Fuel Payments since the winter of 1997/1998.
Until winter 2000/2001, most people needed to be over state pension age to get a payment. (65 for men and 60 for women). In winter 2000/2001 the scheme was extended to include most people aged 60 or over. The change also meant that payments can be made for the winters of 1997/1998, 1998/1999 and 1999/2000 to people who claim and are found to be entitled - there are no time limits for these years.
In September 2002, the rules were changed so that people who live in other EU countries, and would have been eligible for a Winter Fuel Allowance if they had been in the UK, can also claim for past years.
Should you claim?
If you were aged 60 or over during the qualifying week for any of the previous winters of 1997/1998, 1998/1999 and 1999/2000, normally lived in Great Britain or Northern Ireland and you have not had a payment for those years, you may still be able to get one.
If you were aged 60 or over during the qualifying week for any of the previous winters of 1997/1998, 1998/1999 and 1999/2000, normally lived in another EU country and you have not had a payment for those years, you may still be able to get one.
Time limits for claims were introduced in 2000/2001, so it is not possible to claim for payments you might have been entitled to since then.
If you have not yet claimed, and you think you qualify for a payment you need to complete a claim form.
Phone the Helpline 0845 915 1515 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users) to request a claim form for past winters.
You can also download a claim form for past winters here.
You should send your completed form, and your birth certificate if required, to:
Winter Fuel
Freepost Nat15404
Cardiff CF91 1XB
