Date confirmed for households to apply for winter fuel payments

Those eligible for winter fuel payments will be able to apply from 16 September, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed.

But, due to recent changes, not everyone will be eligible for the extra allowance. Recently, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that it would only be given to the most vulnerable pensioners.

As a result, 10 million pensioners will no longer qualify for the benefit, which was previously offered to anyone aged 66 and over.

Who can get the winter fuel payment?

This year, the government handout will only be given to retirees on pension credit or other means-tested benefits, including income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment support allowance and universal credit.

To qualify for the winter fuel payment, you need to have been claiming pension credit or any of the listed benefits between 16 and 22 September 2024.

Most households will get the winter fuel payment automatically and won't need to apply. But those with a joint universal credit claim (where one member is over the state pension age) will need to apply.

To claim by post, you'll need to fill in the winter fuel payment claim form, which will be available on the government website from 16 September. For households claiming by phone, the DWP will release the helpline number online on 10 October 2024.

The deadline to claim for this winter is 31 March 2025.

How much is the winter fuel payment?

Last year, the winter fuel payment ranged from £300 to £600, depending on individual circumstances. This included a ‘pensioner cost-of-living payment’ of between £150 and £300.

This year, the payment will be worth £200 for eligible households, rising to£300 for those over the age of 80.

How to receive your payment

Most payments are made automatically in November or December. You'll receive a letter telling you the amount you'll get and the bank account it will be paid into.

If you haven’t receive a letter or the payment by 29 January 292025, you’ll have to contact the winter fuel payment centre on 0800 731 0160.

Don’t miss out

Pension credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single or to £332.95 if you have a partner.

More than 800,000 households are eligible for pension credit but aren't claiming it. This means they risk missing out on the winter fuel payment as well as other support

If your income is lower than this, you're likely to be eligible for pension credit. If your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible if you have a disability, care for someone, have savings, or have housing costs.

The DWP can take up to two months to process new claims, so it might be best to apply for pension credit as soon as possible. New claims can be backdated by three months.

You can apply online or by calling the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.