*Blog content provided by PayPlan

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment from the government to help eligible people with their heating costs during the colder months. It’s usually between £100 and £300 depending on your circumstances.

If you’re eligible, you’ll normally receive your payment automatically. It’s tax-free and won’t affect any benefits you receive.

Before this year, everyone aged 66 and over automatically received a Winter Fuel Payment of at least £200, regardless of household income levels. For winter 2024, the new government has implemented new means-testing criteria in a bid to save money. Please see below for the new eligibility criteria.

Who is eligible?

If you were born before 23 September 1958, you can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025.

You must also live in England or Wales and receive one of the following:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support

If you live in Scotland, you might qualify for an annual Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead.

How much will you receive and when?

In October or November, if eligible, you’ll receive a letter telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll receive. If you think you’re eligible but don’t receive a letter, check if you need to make a claim.

The amount you receive is based on your birth date and circumstances between 16 and 22 September 2024. This is called the ‘qualifying week’.

Payments are automatically received in November or December. You’ll receive a letter explaining how much you’ll receive and what bank account it will be paid into—usually the same account as your benefits or Pension Credit.

If you live alone

You’ll get either:

•        £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958

•        £300 if you were born before 23 September 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 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958

•        £300 if one or both of you were born before 23 September 1944

It’ll be paid into the bank account your benefits are usually paid into.

If you live in a care home

If you’re eligible you’ll get either:

•        £100 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958

•        £150 if you were born before 23 September 1944

Other help with heating bills

You could also get:

•        A Cold Weather Payment – if the weather drops to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven days in a row and you receive certain benefits you may be eligible

•        The Warm Home Discount – this is a £150 discount on your bills if you receive Pension Credit or live in a low-income household

•        Help from the Household Support Fund, if you’re eligible under your local council’s rules – check on your local council’s website

What you can do next

If you’re struggling with debts, call PayPlan on 0800 072 1206. Their lines are open from 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am – 3pm on Saturdays. Alternatively, you can visit their website to speak via live chat for more information.

You can also explore Cavell’s Support Hub, which hosts a range of resources for financial and emotional wellbeing.