DWP winter fuel payment eligibility - full list of criteria

Ellie Gosley

13 November 2024 at 8:51 am·3-min read

The UK Government is trying to crack down on benefit fraud — -Credit: (Image: PA)

Winter fuel payments worth up to £300 are due to arrive in the bank accounts of those eligible in November and December. It is an annual tax-free payment that is designed to help those eligible with heating costs over the winter months.

Previously, anyone over state pension age was eligible for winter fuel payments but now is means-tested, with only pensioners receiving certain benefits being eligible. Approximately ten million pensioners will not receive a payment this year under changes made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Charities, including Age UK, have voiced concern at the decision.

Here is everything you need to know about the winter fuel payment, including the new eligibility criteria. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here.

Who is eligible for a winte fuel payment?

You can get a winter fuel payment for winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before September 23, 1958.

You must also live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and get one of the following:

Pension Credit
Universal Credit
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit

You’ll also need to have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of September 16 to 22, 2024.

How to claim

Most people get the winter fuel payment automatically if they’re eligible. You do not need to claim if you get any of the following:

Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Income Support
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit

You can call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 if you're not sure if you're eligible.

How much you'll get if you are eligible

The amount you receive for the winter fuel payment depends on when you were born and your circumstances during the qualifying week.

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, and you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:

£200 if one or 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

Other help with heating bills

As well as the winter fuel [ayment, there are also other schemes to help those struggling with heating bills. If you get certain benefits and the temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 days in a row, you could get a Cold Weather Payment worth £25. You can find more information on this, including the full eligibility criteria, here.

There is also the Warm Home Discount, which is a £150 discount on your bills if you get Pension Credit or live in a low-income household.

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Who is eligible for a winte fuel payment?

How to claim

How much you'll get if you are eligible

Other help with heating bills

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