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The rules on this benefit changed, so that older people who live in another EU country can also benefit. It is dealt with by The Pensions Service
A Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off payment to help older people with their winter heating bills.
Can you get it?
How much is it?
New 80-plus annual payment
How to claim
When is it paid
Payments for past winters
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2006/2007 if:
• you are 60 or over in the week 18 - 24 September 2006
• 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 18 - 24 September 2006
• 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. For example an asylum seeker who claimed asylum at the port of entry after 3 April 2000
How much is it?
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, 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
Aged over 80
if you were aged 80 or over during the qualifying week you should get an extra:
• £100 if you are the only eligible person in your household
• £50 if there are other eligible people in your household
• £100 if you receive Pension Credit, even if there are other eligible people in your household
• £50 if you are living in a care home
You don't need to claim your 80+ Annual Payment, it should be paid automatically
How to claim
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 18 - 24 September 2006.
• you got a payment last winter (2005/2006), 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.
When is it paid?
Winter Fuel Payments for 2006/2007 will be made over a number of weeks from mid-November 2006.
If you need to claim, to make sure you get your payment before Christmas, you should send in your completed claim form by 19 September 2003.
You can still claim after that date, but it may mean that you do not get your payment before Christmas.
All claims for winter 2006/2007 should be in before 30 March 2007.
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.
There are some people who will not be able to get a Winter Fuel Payment for those years.
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
Cardiff CF91 1XB