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Winter Fuel Payment

If you have reached the qualifying age you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay for keeping warm in winter. This can be between £100 and £300 depending on your situation. Find out if you are eligible for this payment and how to apply.

Are you eligible?

You could get Winter Fuel Payment if both the following apply:

  • you have reached the qualifying age (born on or before 5 January 1951);
  • you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland on any day in the week of 19–25 September 2011.

You will not qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if, during the week of 19–25 September 2011, you:

  • were in hospital for more than 52 weeks previously, getting free treatment as an inpatient;
  • were in custody serving a court sentence;
  • were subject to immigration control and did not qualify for help from the Department for Work and Pensions;
  • lived in a care home for 13 weeks or more at the end of the qualifying week (19-25 September 2011) and you were on Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

Once you have qualified for a Winter Fuel Payment, you may be able to continue to receive future payments if you move to another European Economic Area country.

Changes to the qualifying age

To reach the qualifying age for a Winter Fuel Payment in 2011/12, you will need to be born on or before 5 January 1951. This is because the qualifying age for Winter Fuel Payment is rising in line with the increase in state pension age from April 2010. In the future, the Winter Fuel Payment qualifying age will increase from 60 to 65 years between 2010 and 2020.

How to claim

To claim, call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0845 9151515 or get a claim form online.

Winter Fuel Payment leaflet

Download the Winter Fuel Payment leaflet (pdf 66KB).

To use this file you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it on your computer, please use the advice page.

 

For more information contact us by telephone: 01634 306000 or by email: welfare.benefits@medway.gov.uk

Write to: Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TR

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