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The Winter Fuel Allowance

By: Garry Crystal - Updated: 7 Jan 2021 | comments*Discuss
 
Winter Fuel Allowance Payments

If you are of state pension age and are a UK resident then the government will give an annual amount of money to help heat the home during the winter months. How much you will receive as a winter fuel allowance will be dependant on the age of the claimant and whether it is a couple living in the home or an individual.

What is the Winter Fuel Allowance?

The winter fuel allowance or winter fuel payments are payments made to individuals who are 60 and over. The payments are intended to be for heating the home during the winter months but the money received can be spent however the claimant wants. It does not have to be spent heating the home or used to pay for household energy bills.

Eligibility for the Winter Fuel Allowance

Anyone 60 years old and over can claim for the winter fuel allowance. To qualify you have to be born on or before 5 August 1953, for 2017/18 (this date changes every year). The amount of money received will be dependant on age. The claimant must also normally reside in the UK or Northern Ireland. As with any government scheme there are certain exemptions that do apply. You might not be eligible for the allowance if:

  • You reside in a care or residential home and receive certain state pensions or job seeker's allowance.
  • You have been in hospital and have been receiving treatment for over one year.
  • You do not normally reside in the UK or Northern Ireland.

How Much are the Payments?

If the claimant is 60 to 79 years of age and is eligible then they will receive between £100 and £200. If they are 80 and over then the payments will increase and they may receive up to £300. The amount will also depend on partners living in the home. If a couple lives together, and this can mean either married or cohabiting as if they were a married couple, then only one payment will be made to a person receiving job seeker's allowance or pension credits. All other couples will receive £100 each if they meet the age eligibility requirements.

How to Claim for Payments

Winter fuel payments are automatically sent to people 60 year old and over who are receiving state pension or some form of social security payment. The payments should be ongoing each year unless there has been a change in circumstances. Payments will usually reach people by Christmas each year and if they have not been received then individuals should contact their local government benefits agency. There is also a winter fuel payment help line that can be contacted if payments are not received by Christmas each year.

How Payments are made

Payments can be made into bank accounts, building society accounts or post office accounts; it is entirely up to the individual. Payments can also be made by cheque to the eligible person's home address. The winter payment agency will notify the claimant by letter as to when and where the payment will be sent. All cheques must be cashed within at least one month of the date on the cheque. Anyone who feels their payments are incorrect should contact their local benefits agency or the winter fuel payments help line.

Change of Circumstances

A person who receives the winter fuel allowance must notify the agency if their circumstances change in any way. This could include state benefits and pensions stopping or starting, and other people living in or leaving the home. The winter fuel agency will be able to inform the claimant if any of these changes will make a change to their winter fuel payments in any way.

The winter fuel allowance is an additional tax free payment that should be claimed. It does not have to be used to heat the home and can be spent on anything the claimant wishes. It should be seen as a small extra source of income and can be figured into any retirement budgeting plan.

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I’m 61 in July do i qualify for a payment
Debbie - 7-Jan-21 @ 1:57 PM
My mother was 80 on 23rd of Septemberdoes she qualifyfor the 300 pound fuel allowance1940 x
Dawn - 24-Nov-20 @ 8:23 AM
I am 66 in February 2021 and I live with my partner who receives his winter fuel allowance will I get this too, if so when and how much?
Woody - 22-Nov-20 @ 5:23 PM
I was born on the 25th September 1940 am I entitled to £300 heating allowance
Sandy - 21-Nov-20 @ 1:40 PM
Am I entitled to winter fuel allowanceif I was born25th April1960
Damo - 9-Nov-20 @ 2:12 PM
I am80 on27september 2020 will I get 200pounds this year
Mick - 7-Nov-20 @ 11:43 AM
I am 80 on 27 September.Born1940 will I get 200pounds this year
Mick - 7-Nov-20 @ 11:39 AM
This is the most misleading article I have ever read, so you can claim at 60, but have to be born before 1954, his is that possible?
No - 28-Oct-20 @ 11:23 AM
I am now widowed, do I receive double the winter fuel payment . I am 73
Foxy - 22-Oct-20 @ 12:53 PM
Can I claim winter heating I'm 61 years old bor in 195
HUGHES01* - 14-Oct-20 @ 9:28 PM
I was born 26.3.1955 I am on no benefits does this qualify me
Chips - 18-Sep-20 @ 1:57 PM
Can anyone tell me if I'm entitled to the winter fuel allowance as I was born in 1955 in March because I'm getting all different answers so I will be 64 thank you
seaweed - 15-Jan-19 @ 6:05 PM
Dob 11/02/1955.WILL I QUALIFY FOR WINTER FUEL PAYMENT THIS YEAR
Biz - 28-Oct-18 @ 12:29 PM
Iam 65 on the 14th of November lam registered disabled and l don't get winter fuel allowence till next year so freeze thank you d w p.
Legend - 19-Oct-18 @ 7:53 PM
i was born inOctober1957do i qualify for winter fuel allowance
Miffy - 14-Oct-18 @ 12:25 PM
Don't know if I am getting thick in my old age (64) but from reading the above, "To qualify you HAVE to be born ON or BEFORE 5th August 1953 for 2017/18"By default, anyone born on or before that date MUST now be 65 years old in October 2018 ( i.e. 2018 - 1953 = 65) Can someone explain to me why someone who is 60, 61, 62, 63, 64 should make an application seeing as how they would definitely have been born AFTER 5th August 1953 and therefore doesn't qualify ??
PJAY - 8-Oct-18 @ 1:59 PM
I was born 1955 I'm 63 I live on my own I still work full time can anyone tell me if I'm entitled to winter fuel allowance thank you
Gordie - 23-Sep-18 @ 9:30 AM
RaymondO - Your Question:
I am 65 in November this year I was born 14/11/1953 will I be able to get winter fuel allowance after November 14th

Our Response:
I can only point you to the gov.uk link here , which will tell you more.
FinancingRetirement - 27-Feb-18 @ 12:08 PM
I am 65 in November this year I was born 14/11/1953 will I be able to get winter fuel allowanceafter November 14th
RaymondO - 26-Feb-18 @ 7:42 PM
zippy - Your Question:
Just been reading your response about claiming winter fuel allowance and I was born 17th December 1953 do I qualify?

Our Response:
Unless you were born before 5 August 1953, you would not be eligible. You may soon qualify for 2017/18.
FinancingRetirement - 5-Jan-18 @ 2:16 PM
just been reading your response about claiming winter fuel allowanceand I was born 17th December 1953 do I qualify?
zippy - 2-Jan-18 @ 4:23 PM
Wrenchy - Your Question:
I am sixty years this year sept 2017 what heating allowance am I allowed if any thank you

Our Response:
Only if you were born on or before 5 August 1953, can you get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’, please see link here.
FinancingRetirement - 11-Dec-17 @ 12:53 PM
I am sixty years this year sept 2017 what heating allowance am I allowed if any thank you
Wrenchy - 10-Dec-17 @ 8:26 PM
Den - Your Question:
I was born 1954. 64 in march 2018 will I qualify for 2018/2019 winter fuel allowance

Our Response:
The dates for 2018/2019 have not been released yet. You need to keep an eye on the gov.uk link here .
FinancingRetirement - 5-Dec-17 @ 12:48 PM
I was born 1954. 64 in march 2018 will I qualify for 2018/2019 winter fuel allowance
Den - 4-Dec-17 @ 8:45 PM
I already receive fuel allowance and live in a flat. I now have a ladyfriend we are considering living together in her house. As i have already received this years allowance and cud be moving in January/February do i have to repay this years allowance of £300
Dozy - 16-Nov-17 @ 12:34 PM
Hi. I worked in U.K.for approx 2 years in 1960's but I am a Republic of Ireland citizen and reside in Repubic of Ireland. Am I eligible to claim British winter fuel allowance?
Boo Boo - 17-Oct-17 @ 6:02 PM
Will - Your Question:
Totally confused. Iam64 on 30/09/2017 dob. 30/09/53. When will I get winter fuel payment.

Our Response:
You’ll qualify for Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 5 August 1953 (for winter 2017 to 2018 - this date changes every year). Please see link here .
FinancingRetirement - 29-Jun-17 @ 3:49 PM
Totally confused. Iam64 on 30/09/2017 dob. 30/09/53.When will I get winter fuel payment.
Will - 28-Jun-17 @ 5:26 PM
Titch - Your Question:
I got my state pension in November 2016 am I entitled to heating allowance this year 2017

Our Response:
You can see more via the gov.uk link here which will tell you all you need to know about whether you are eligible and how to claim.
FinancingRetirement - 15-Jun-17 @ 3:20 PM
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