The government has introduced a number of support measures to help tackle the cost of living crisis, including a £400 grant to help people with energy bills from October and a one-off £150 council tax discount for households living in council tax zones AD. A payment of £650 is granted to help some of the UK’s most vulnerable households, while disabled people may be entitled to £150. An additional winter fuel payment has also been announced to help pensioners through the colder months. See how it will work.
What is the winter fuel payment?
Winter fuel payment, also referred to as ‘heating allowance’, is an annual tax-free payment from the Department for Work and Pensions for older people. Anyone eligible can receive between £100-£300 each year. This year the government will give around eight million pensioners an extra £300 to help tackle the cost of living crisis.
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Who qualifies for the winter fuel payment?
The winter fuel payment will be available for households that include people born on or before September 25, 1956. You must also live in the UK for at least one day in the week of 19-25 September 2022. If you do not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you may receive the payment if both of the following apply:
You live in Switzerland or a country in the European Economic Area (EEA). You have a genuine and sufficient link with the UK – this can include having lived or worked in the UK and having family in the UK
You can’t get the payment if you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest part of the UK. You don’t usually need to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment if you qualify. You should receive the money automatically. However, if you haven’t had the payment in the past, you only need to claim if any of the following apply:
You don’t get benefits or a state pension You only get Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit You receive benefits or a state pension but live in Switzerland or an EEA country
Contact the Winter Fuel Payment Scheme online or by phone or post if you would like to inquire further or make changes to your payments.
When will the extra £300 be paid?
Former chancellor Rishi Sunak promised the Commons that the winter fuel payment would be made to pensioners by autumn 2022. You will receive a letter telling you how much you will get and an estimated payment date. You must be paid no later than January 13, 2023. If you do not receive your payment, please contact the winter fuel payment centre.
