Winter Fuel Payments

Frequently asked questions

Winter Fuel Payments (general questions)

For Winter 2008/09

For winter 2009/10

Why is the “qualifying week” set before the winter?

We set the qualifying week before the winter to allow us enough time to process your claim so that you can receive your payment in time for when you really need it.

How long do I have to cash a cheque or payable order?

If we send a cheque to your home address, you will need to cash it within one month of the date shown on it. You can cash the cheque at your local post office, or you can pay it into your bank or building society up to six months after the date shown on the cheque.

If we send a payable order to your home address, you will need to cash it within six months of the date shown on it. You can pay your payable order into your bank or building society. If you cannot cash your cheque or payable order in time, contact the office that sent you the payment.

My circumstances have changed. What should I do?

You need to keep us up to date and tell us about any changes in your circumstances as soon as possible, for example, if you have moved house, have changed your bank account details or are no longer getting a social security benefit. This will help us to pay you the right amount of Winter Fuel Payment. Otherwise, you may not automatically get your Winter Fuel Payment, or the amount you receive may be incorrect.

Please check your details on any recent letter we have sent you about your State Pension or benefit. If your address or postcode is wrong, please write to the pension centre, Jobcentre Plus office, Jobcentre or social security office that normally deals with your pension or benefit.

You will also need to tell your pension centre, Jobcentre Plus office, Jobcentre or social security office, for example, if you change your address or your bank account details in the future. For your nearest office, look under Jobcentre Plus, Jobcentre or social security office in your local phone book.

You need to contact us if you made a claim for a Winter Fuel Payment last year, and your circumstances have changed, such as a change of address, new bank account details, or if you are now in one of the groups that cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment. (See below)

Please write to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre at the following address:

Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Southgate House
Cardiff Central Royal Mail
Cardiff
CF91 1ZH

You cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment if, during the qualifing week you:

  • are in hospital getting free inpatient treatment and have been getting such treatment for more than 52 weeks;
  • live with your husband, wife or partner and they get Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance (income related) and are over 60 (they will get the Winter Fuel Payment on your behalf);
  • are in custody serving a sentence imposed by a court (you are not on remand);
  • are subject to immigration control and not eligible for help from the Department for Work and Pensions (for example, as an asylum seeker who claimed asylum at the port of entry after 3 April 2000); or
  • are living in a care home throughout the qualifying week and the 12 weeks before, and get Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
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I get Disability Living Allowance but I am not yet 60. Do I qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment?

No. Winter Fuel Payments are for people aged 60 and over. Help is already available, through disability benefits and the disability premium in Income Support, in recognition of the extra costs, including heating, that disabled people may have. We have no plans to extend the Winter Fuel Payment scheme to people under 60.

I receive benefits. Should I complete a claim form?

You do not need to complete a claim form to get a Winter Fuel Payment if you are aged 60 or over and getting a State Pension or other social security benefit (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit), during the Winter Fuel Payment qualifying week.

You should have received your Winter Fuel Payment for 2009/10 automatically if you were aged 60 or over and receiving one of the benefits above during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2009.

If you have not received a Winter Fuel Payment please contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline

I do not receive benefits. Should I complete a claim form?

If you are aged 60 or over and do not get any social security benefits or you only get Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit during the qualifying week you may need to complete a claim form.

Call the Winter Fuel Helpline for advice

I live abroad. Can I claim a Winter Fuel Payment?

If you qualified for a Winter Fuel Payment in Great Britain or Northern Ireland before moving to another EEA country or Switzerland, you may still be able to continue receiving payments while living in that country.

If you move to another country outside of the EEA or Switzerland you cannot continue to receive a payment.

People claiming Winter Fuel Payments as residents in another EEA country or Switzerland can be turned down if they were in custody under sentence during the relevant qualifying week. This exclusion only applies from winter 2000/01.

Find out more about receiving Winter Fuel Payments whilst living in an EEA country or Switzerland

I live in a country that joined the EU on 1 May 2004. Can I claim a Winter Fuel Payment?

Yes. You may continue to get a Winter Fuel Payment if you received a payment before.

For Winter 2008/09

When will I receive my payment?

We made automatic payments over a number of weeks from November 2008. If you made a claim for a Winter Fuel Payment on or before the deadline of 30 March 2009 and, have not yet received your payment, please call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline

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Why have I only received £125?

You are only entitled to £125 if, during the qualifying week, you did not get Pension Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance and there were other people in your household who were entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment.

My payment is incorrect. What do I do?

If you think your payment is incorrect contact the office that made your payment. The address and telephone number should be at the top of the communication we sent you. If you cannot find any contact details contact the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline

My partner has been paid. Do I still need to claim?

You do not need to claim if your partner is getting Pension Credit, Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and has received a Winter Fuel Payment. The Winter Fuel Payment will be paid to your partner.

If your partner does not get one of these benefits and you do not receive any social security benefits or you only receive Housing Benefit, Council Tax benefit or Child Benefit you will need to make a claim.

Call the Winter Fuel Helpline

For Winter 2009/10

When will I receive my payment?

If you are eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment and you send us your correctly completed claim form before 25 September 2009, you should receive your payment before Christmas 2009.

People who have received a Winter Fuel Payment before and whose circumstances have not changed will receive their payments automatically before Christmas 2009.

Claim forms for winter 2009/10 will be available on this website from the middle of August 2009.

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