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Winter Fuel Allowance, How do we Get it?

By: Garry Crystal - Updated: 26 Nov 2020 | comments*Discuss
 
Winter Fuel Allowance State Pension

Q.

I understand we can benefit from a government winter fuel allowance of £250 per year. We have not received this, either this year nor last year. Who should I contact to recover this allowance?

(Mrs Linda Staib-Jensen, 25 November 2008)

A.

The answer to this question has been updated for the year 2016/17.

The winter fuel allowance is supplied by the government and is available to most people who have reached the qualifying age on or before 5 May 1953 (for winter 2016 to 2017 - this date changes every year). The winter fuel allowance is a non-taxable annual payment designed to help pay for the extra cost of heating the home during the winter months. There are a number of stipulations that will decide who is eligible for this payment. The amount you receive will also be dependant on a number of circumstances.

Age will be one of the major factors to how much you can receive. If you normally live in the UK on your own you should be entitled to £200. If you are 80 or over and live alone you could be entitled to £300.

Eligibility Requirements

The amount of winter fuel allowance you receive will be dependant on a number of factors. Factors that can make a difference in the amount you receive will include:

  • Whether or not you live with another person who is also eligible for the winter fuel allowance
  • If your partner receives income based job seeker’s allowance (JSA) or pension credits
  • If you live in a care home or reside in an independent hospital and receive or don’t receive pension credits or JSA

Automatic Payments

Those who are eligible for the winter fuel allowance and are receiving a state pension or certain other state benefits do not need to apply. The fuel allowance should be sent automatically. If you think you are entitled to this allowance but don’t receive a pension or state benefits then you will have to make a claim. Claim forms are available from mid August onwards. Those who claim on or before September should receive the allowance by Christmas. Anyone who claims after September may not get their allowance until after Christmas. If you are eligible you will only need to make a claim once; after you claim the allowance it should be sent automatically each year.

Backdated Fuel Allowances

You can make a claim for backdated payments for previous winter fuel allowances you may have missed. However, these backdated payments only apply to particular years. In order to claim your winter fuel allowance and to make a claim for backdated payments you should telephone the winter fuel payment helpline on 03459 15 15 15. You can also download a claim form from the Directgov website or the Pension Service website.

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I normally get my winter fuel payment on November 23 but not received it yet is there a reason
Keano - 26-Nov-20 @ 4:08 PM
I will be 66 on the 4th of December 1954 will I BE ABLE TO CLAIM WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE
KIT - 19-Nov-20 @ 8:48 PM
Born may 1955 when will I receive winter fuel allowance? Already 65 yes old!
Jane - 17-Nov-20 @ 1:06 PM
Born 2411/1954 when will I receive heating allowance
Margie - 13-Nov-20 @ 11:45 AM
I was born 12 01 1955 when do i get winter fual allance
John - 25-Oct-20 @ 1:01 AM
I am eligible to have winter fuelAllowance was born on 25/ 7 / 1957’
Neillie - 21-Sep-20 @ 9:25 AM
A.m I entitled to fuel allowance if I pplied for disability allowance on 21 Nov 2018 got granted it from 27th Feb 2019will I get January fuel allowance
Molly - 12-Feb-19 @ 2:39 PM
I receive £200 also the wife receives £200 winter fuel payment is this correct
Charley Harry - 29-Nov-18 @ 8:31 AM
Do I or my wife fuel allowanceiam 64 now .don.9 10 54 .
. - 21-Nov-18 @ 8:59 PM
Mel - Your Question:
I was born 21st April 1954, so when will I get the winter fuel allowance

Our Response:
The dates for 2018/2019 have not been released yet. You would need to keep an eye on the gov.uk link here .
FinancingRetirement - 5-Dec-17 @ 2:05 PM
I was born 21st April 1954, so when will I get the winter fuel allowance
Mel - 4-Dec-17 @ 9:10 PM
Bluehat - Your Question:
I was 64 on 06/08/1953 and start claiming state pension in November am I eligible for winter fuel allowance

Our Response:
You qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if both the following apply: you were born on or before 5 August 1953. As you were born on August 6, this puts you outside the qualifying period. You can contact the helpline via the gov.uk link here to ask when you will qualify.
FinancingRetirement - 31-Aug-17 @ 1:48 PM
Was 64 in august will I be eligible for winter fuel allowance
Bluehat - 30-Aug-17 @ 3:57 PM
I was 64 on 06/08/1953 and start claiming state pension in November am I eligible for winter fuel allowance
Bluehat - 30-Aug-17 @ 3:54 PM
Fossy - Your Question:
Your giving the same answer every time I was born 25 8 53 will I ever get winter fuel allowance

Our Response:
You would have to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre directly here to find out. We are not party to its administrative processing.
FinancingRetirement - 18-Jul-17 @ 2:05 PM
Your giving the same answer every time I was born 25 8 53 will I ever get winter fuel allowance
Fossy - 18-Jul-17 @ 8:32 AM
Neversweat- Your Question:
I was born 15 October 1953 when do I qualify for winter fuel allowance. Payed to the over 60s. I am going on 64 now

Our Response:
You should get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically from the organisation that pays your benefits when you qualify. If you wish to check when you may receive payment for 2017/18, then please see link here, to make contact directly.
FinancingRetirement - 17-May-17 @ 10:43 AM
I was born 15 October 1953 when do I qualify for winter fuel allowance.Payed to the over 60s. I am going on 64 now
Neversweat - 16-May-17 @ 2:15 PM
Jan - Your Question:
I was born May 13th -1956 so I'll be 61 this year when will I be able to claim winter fuel allowance?

Our Response:
You have to born on or before 5 May 1953 (for winter 2016 to 2017). As the date changes every year, you would have to check annually. You can see more via the gov.uk link here.
FinancingRetirement - 11-Apr-17 @ 12:00 PM
I was born May 13th -1956so I'll be 61 this year when will I be able to claim winter fuel allowance?
Jan - 10-Apr-17 @ 11:02 AM
Can I claim winter fuel allowance if I live in Thailand all year except for 3 eweeks in July when I holiday in the UK
trev - 29-Mar-17 @ 2:42 PM
Fishing54 - Your Question:
I am 63 in July do I get fuel allowance this year/

Our Response:
Please see gov.uk link here which will tell you when you qualify.
FinancingRetirement - 7-Mar-17 @ 10:59 AM
I am 63 in July do I get fuel allowance this year/
Fishing54 - 6-Mar-17 @ 2:13 PM
I am 62in November will I be eligible for heating allowance.
Loony - 2-Sep-16 @ 7:28 PM
Boss - Your Question:
Was born on 4th December 1953 when will I be eligible for winter fuel allowance

Our Response:
This year the winter fuel payment is eligible for those born on or before 5 January 1953. Please see link here which tells you all you need to know.
FinancingRetirement - 14-Jan-16 @ 12:36 PM
Was born on 4th December 1953 when will I be eligible for winter fuel allowance
Boss - 13-Jan-16 @ 6:33 PM
Poopy - Your Question:
Just rang them about a claim.I was born on 24 jan 54.they just told me I can't claim till 2019.

Our Response:
You can see all you need to know about eligibility via the gov.uk link here. I hope this helps.
FinancingRetirement - 13-Jan-16 @ 11:01 AM
Just rang them about a claim ..I was born on 24 jan 54. ..they just told me I can't claim till 2019.
Poopy - 12-Jan-16 @ 4:37 PM
Patacake - Your Question:
I was born on 19th January 1954 when will I receive fuel allowance

Our Response:
The dates change yearly. Currently, you are eligible for winter fuel payments if you were born on or before 5 January 1953. You do not need to apply, you will be sent a letter when you qualify.
FinancingRetirement - 22-Dec-15 @ 2:37 PM
I was born on 19th January 1954 when will I receive fuel allowance
Patacake - 22-Dec-15 @ 10:29 AM
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