Help with winter heating bills

 

Cold weather and winter fuel payments

Cold weather payments

If you get Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance you may be eligible for Cold Weather Payments. 

You will get £25 for each seven day period between 1 November and 31 March where the average daily temperature in your area is 0°C or below.  You should receive the payment within 14 working days of each cold snap.

Tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but have not had one.

If you get Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you will usually receive Cold Weather Payments if you have a child under five, if you are disabled or you have a disabled child.

Winter fuel payments

Winter Fuel Payments are given each winter. They are tax free and you don't have to be getting certain benefits to qualify. 

To receive this year’s payment you must have been born on or before January 5 1951.  Payments are £200 or £300 per household depending on age.

Payment should be automatic but this may not happen if you are not already on benefits and you may need to claim. 

If you qualify and haven't been paid by the end of December, contact the Pension Service on 08456 060 265 (textphone 0800 731 7339). 

You can claim for previous winters - for more details call the Winter Fuel Payments helpline on 08459 151 515 (textphone 08456 015 613).