Two groups of State Pensioners will be able to make a postal claim for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment, which is worth between £100 and £300, from Monday, September 30. How much someone receives depends on their age and household circumstances, but it’s worth noting that the £300 will only be paid to those born before September 23, 1944.
It’s also important to be aware that the recent eligibility change implemented by the new Labour Government means that in addition to being over 66, people must also be in receipt of a means-tested benefit, such as Pension Credit or Tax Credits, on any day of this week to qualify for the payment.
People over State Pension age who wee in receipt of an income-related benefit during the qualifying week of September 16-22 will receive the payment automatically – the money is tax-free and will not affect other benefits. Letters will be sent to eligible pensioner households in mid-October telling them how much Winter Fuel Payment they will receive.
Updated guidance on GOV.UK also advises that people can make a postal claim fro this year’s payment from today – September 30. Claims can be made over the phone from October 28.
The closing date for Winter Fuel Payment 2024/25 claims is March 31, 2025.
It’s important to be aware that new claims made before December 21, 2024 which later turn out to be successful, will also be entitled to a backdated Winter Fuel Payment.
Who may need to claim a Winter Fuel Payment?
The guidance states that if you do not get any of the qualifying means-tested benefits, you need to claim if either of the following apply:
- You have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before – this may be because you have deferred claiming your State Pension
- You or your partner get Universal Credit
You can claim the 2024/25 Winter Fuel Payment by:
- Post – from September 30, 2024
- Phone – from October 28, 2024
If you get Universal Credit, you will be told how to claim through a message in your journal.
The new guidance also states that if you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 29, 2025, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
Below is a quick overview of this year’s eligibility, full details can be found on GOV.UK here.
Winter Fuel Payment Eligibility
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment this year if you were born before September 23, 1958 and in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
You must also live in Scotland, England 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
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
In some circumstances, you might be eligible if you live abroad – find out more here.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
- Have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
- Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- Were in prison for the whole of the qualifying week of September 16 to 22, 2024
-
were living in a care home for the whole time from June 24 to September 22, 2024
How much Winter Fuel Payment you will receive
If you live alone
You will get either:
- £200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £300 if you were born before September 23, 1944
If you live with someone
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:
- £200 if both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £300 if one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944
If you live in a care home
If you are eligible you will get either:
- £100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £150 if you were born before September 23, 1944
Online Petition
More than 538,400 people have signed an online petition created by Age UK urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves not to make Winter Fuel Payments means-tested to ensure all State Pensioners receive additional annual heating bill help.
The ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners’ petition warns the change to the eligibility will impact millions of older people who rely on the extra financial support to help cover the costs of higher bills during the winter months.
The petition can be viewed, signed and shared on the Age UK website here.
Pension Credit
Nearly 1.4m older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit that could provide an average of £3,900 in support during the year ahead. However, the latest figures from the DWP suggest there are still 880,000 eligible pensioners not claiming the benefit they are entitled to.
Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, Winter Fuel Payment and Council Tax.
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 a week for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. It is a tax-free payment for those who:
- have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
- live in Great Britain
An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support.
Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert help and advice is also available from:
Pension Credit tops up income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples – more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.