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A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help people aged 60 and over with the costs of keeping warm this winter.
If you are aged 60 to 79 and you are entitled to receive a Winter Fuel Payment, you will get either £125 or £250, depending on your circumstances in the qualifying week (15-21 September 2008).
If you are aged 80 or over and you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment, you will either get £200 or £400 depending on your circumstances in the qualifying week.
You do not pay tax on Winter Fuel Payments.
If you need to make a claim for a payment for winter 2008/09, you should return your claim form on or before 30 March 2009.
You should qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment for the winter of 2008/09 if during the qualifying week of 15-21 September 2008, you are:
- aged 60 or over and
- normally living in Great Britain or Northern Ireland
People who cannot get a Winter Fuel PaymentYou will not qualify for a payment if, during the qualifying week of 15-21 September 2008, you are:
- in hospital getting free inpatient treatment and have been getting such treatment for more than 52 weeks
- in custody serving a sentence imposed by a court
- subject to immigration control and not eligible for help from the Department for Social Development (for example, you have been allowed into the UK on the understanding that you are supporting yourself and you are not entitled to help from public funds.)
- living in a residential care home [1] or an independent hospital [2] (and have been for the preceeding 12 weeks or more), and get Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Couples receiving Pension Credit or or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance will only get one payment made to the person receiving that benefit. Other couples will get £125 each if both partners are aged 60 or over and entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment.
[1] Care homes include nursing homes, residental care homes and local authority residential accomodation
[2] An independent hospital is a hospital which is not a National Health Service Hospital
We use partner to mean either:
- a person you are married to or a person you live with as if you are married to them
- a civil partner or a person you live with as if you are civil partners
How Do I get it?I got a Winter Fuel Payment last year. What do I need to do?If you were getting a State Pension or other social security benefit last year (not including Housing Benefit or Child Benefit), but you were not getting one in the week of 15-21 September 2008, you will need to make a claim for this winter’s payment.
I did not get a Winter Fuel Payment last year. What do I need to do?You should get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically if, during the week of 15-21 September 2008, you are aged 60 or over and are getting a State Pension or other Social Security benefit (but not including Housing Benefit or Child Benefit).You should not have to do anything to get your Winter Fuel Payment.
If your claim last year was unsuccessful and your circumstances have changed, you might now qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment.
How will you pay me my Winter Fuel PaymentWe will pay your Winter Fuel Payment into your bank, building society or post office account, or as a cheque or payable order sent to your home address:
- if you are receiving a State Pension or other social security benefit
- if you get a benefit or pension paid directly into a bank or building society account, we will normally pay your Winter Fuel Payment into the same account. Otherwise, we will send a cheque to your home address. We may send some people a payable order instead. We will send you a letter telling you when and how we will make the payment.
If you are not receiving a State Pension or other Social Security benefitIf you received a Winter Fuel Payment last year and your circumstances have not changed, we will pay you in the same way we paid you last year. We will send you a letter telling you when and how we will make the payment.
If you are making a claim for a Winter Fuel Payment for the first time this yearWe can pay your money straight into an account of your choice, such as a bank or building society account.
How much Winter Fuel Payment will I get?This year the Winter Fuel Payment will be £250 for households with someone aged 60 to 79 and £400 for households with someone aged 80 or over.The exact amount you get depends on your circumstances during the qualifying week (15 to 21 September 2008) such as your age,whether you live alone and whether you're getting Pension Credit or Income based JSA. In most cases if you qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment, you'll get:
- A full payment of £250 or a shared payment of £125 each, if you're aged 60-79, or
- A full payment of £400 or a shared payment of £200 each, if you're aged 80 or over.
How will my circumstances affect whether I get a Winter Fuel Payment?If your circumstances are as follows:
- you qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment and you live alone and
- no-one else in your household qualifies for a Winter Fuel Payment, or
- you get Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Then you will get:
- £250 if you are aged 60 to 79 or
- £400 if you are aged 80 or over
If your circumstances are as follows:
- you don’t get Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and
- you live with at least one other person who qualifies for a Winter Fuel Payment
Then you will get:
- £125 each if you are both (or all, if you live with more than one other person) aged 60 to 79
- £200 each if you and at least one other person are aged 80 or over; or £275 if you are the only person aged 80 or over (others in the household will get £125)
If you live in a residential care home or an independent hospital and, during the week of 15-21 September 2008, you are not getting Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, you should get
- £125 if you are aged 60 to 79 or
- £200 if you are aged 80 or over.
We will make automatic payments over a number of weeks from early November 2008 until Christmas 2008. If you have not received your automatic payment by Christmas 2008 you should call the office that pays your benefit or call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline
If you need to make a claim for a payment for winter 2008/09, you should return your claim form on or before 30 March 2009.
We will make payments by Christmas 2008 for successful claims that we receive by 21 September 2008. Successful claims received after 21 September will be paid during early 2009.
If you make a successful claim for a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter, you should get your payment automatically in future but you must let us know about any changes in your circumstances.
We must receive all claim forms for winter 2008/09 by 30 March 2009.
You must keep us up-to-date and tell us about any changes in your circumstances straight away, for example, if you have moved house, changed your bank account details or no longer get 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. We explain how you can contact us below.
If you get a State Pension or other Social Security benefit (not including Housing Benefit or Child Benefit)
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 contact the Pension Centre, Jobs & Benefits or Social Security office that normally deals with your pension or benefit.
You must tell them of other changes, for example, if you change your address or your bank account details in the future.
If you made a claim for a Winter Fuel payment last yearIf you made a claim 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 who cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment you must let us know. 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
If last year's claim was unsuccessful and your circumstances have changed, you can make a claim for this winter.
Winter Fuel Payments were introduced from the winter of 1997/98. There are no time limits for claiming for the years 1997/98 to 1999/2000. From 2000/01 time limits for claims were introduced. This means that payments cannot be made for late claims for any of the years 2000/01 to 2007/08. Claims for these years had to be made by 30 March for the relevant winter, for example, a claim for winter 2007/08 had to be made by 30 March 2008.
For the winters of 1997/98, 1998/99 and 1999/2000, the amount of payment is shown in the table below.
Winter |
Qualifying week |
If you were the only person in
the household who qualified |
If there was more than one person in
the household who qualified |
| 1997 - 1998
|
5 - 11 January 1998
|
£20 for each person
|
£10 for each person
|
| 1998 - 1999
|
9 - 15 November 1998
|
£20 for each person
|
£10 for each person
|
| 1999 - 2000
|
20 - 26 September 1999
|
£100 for each person
|
£50 for each person
|
Living Abroad Winter Fuel Payments for people living outside the UK but within the European Economic Area or in SwitzerlandWho can receive a Winter Fuel Payment outside the UK?If you qualified for a Winter Fuel Payment in the UK, you may be able to continue to receive your Winter Fuel Payment if you move to another European Economic Area (EEA) country or to Switzerland. There are some exceptions to this which are set out below.
The qualifying week this year is the 15 to 21 September 2008. Payments are normally made from November onwards over a period of several weeks. Winter Fuel Payments are usually paid automatically to people receiving a UK state pension. If you do not receive a UK state pension you will usually need to fill in a claim form for the first year you claim a Winter Fuel Payment outside the UK. If your circumstances change again, you should notify us.
Who can receive Winter Fuel Payments outside the UK for winter 2008/09?You may be able to receive a Winter Fuel Payment outside the UK for winter 2008/09 if you have previously qualified for a payment in the UK and during the qualifying week of 15 – 21 September 2008 you:
- lived in another EEA country. Your nationality does not affect your entitlement unless you live in:
- Denmark, where you must be an EEA or Swiss national
- Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland where you must be an EEA national;or
- lived in Switzerland and are:
- a Swiss national or
- an EU national
- were not in custody under sentence
You do not qualify if you are in custody serving a sentence imposed by a court during the week of 15 to 21 September 2008.
What will happen if I left the UK after the qualifying week in September?If you left the UK after the qualifying week you should receive your Winter Fuel Payment as normal, as you were a UK resident during the qualifying week. It is important that you let us know when you change your address so that we can update your records. If you are receiving a benefit or State Pension you will also need to tell the office that deals with your payments that you are leaving the UK.
What will happen if I left the UK before the qualifying week in September?If you left the UK before the qualifying week you may still be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment provided you qualified in a previous year and if you have moved to live in another EEA country or Switzerland. Check your entitlement at Who can receive a Winter Fuel Payment outside the UK?
What will happen if I left the UK during the qualifying week in September?If you normally lived in the UK and moved to live outside the UK during the qualifying week you will be treated as living in the UK for the payment for winter 2008/09.
What should I do if I am planning to move abroad?If you are moving abroad remember to contact:
- the Winter Fuel Payment Centre or The International Pension Centre to let them know your new address
- any benefit or pension paying offices you deal with to tell them that you are moving outside the UK
We may need to write to you for more information and in some circumstances we may need to ask you to complete a claim form.
If you have not received or applied for a Winter Fuel Payment before, we will first have to decide if you were entitled to a payment as a UK resident before you can be entitled to a payment outside the UK. You can find more information in the section about how to get a Winter Fuel Payment in the UK or you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre or The international Pension Centre for advice.
I have lived outside the UK for more than a year. Can I claim payments for past years?If you left the UK after qualifying for a Winter Fuel Payment, and you normally live (or, in the year you are claiming for, you lived) in another EEA country outside the UK, you may be able to get Winter Fuel Payments for past years.
There are no time limits for claiming for the years 1998/1999 and 1999/2000. Time limits apply for a Winter Fuel Payment for 2000/01 onwards. Winter Fuel Payments became available at different times in different countries, and payment sometimes depends on other factors including your nationality. A quick guide is:
From 1998/99
- Payments became available with effect from the winter of 1998/1999 to eligible EEA nationals living in EEA countries who had previously qualified for a payment in the UK.
From 2000/01
- People in custody under sentence during the qualifying week were no longer entitled to a payment.
From 2002/03
- Payments were extended to Switzerland for EU and Swiss nationals only.
- Swiss nationals could receive payments in EU countries.
From 2003/04
- Payments were extended to all non-EEA nationals in all EU countries, except Denmark.
From 2004/05
- Payments were available in the 10 new EU states to all nationals.
- Payments did not extend to nationals of the 10 new EU states living in Switzerland.
From 2006/07
- Payments extended to nationals of the ten new EU states living in Switzerland
From 2007/08
- Payments extended to customers living in Bulgaria and Romania
- Payments do not extend to nationals of Bulgaria and Romania living in Switzerland.
What were the qualifying dates for past years?
Winter of |
Qualifying week |
| 1997/98
|
payments wer to UK residents only
|
| 1998/99
|
9 to 15 November 1998
|
| 1999/00
|
20 to 26 September 1999
|
| 2000/01
|
18 to 24 September 2000
|
| 2001/02
|
17 to 23 September 2001
|
| 2002/03
|
16 to 22 September 2002
|
| 2003/04
|
15 to 21 September 2003
|
| 2004/05
|
20 to 26 September 2004
|
| 2005/06
|
19 to 25 September 2005
|
| 2006/07
|
18 to 24 September 2006
|
| 2007/08
|
17 to 23 September 2007
|
How much was the Winter Fuel Payment in past yearsIf in your household those eligible were
Year |
You |
you and another person |
| 1997/98
|
UK only
|
UK only
|
| 1998/99
|
£20
|
£10 each
|
| 1999/00
|
£100
|
£50 each
|
| 2000/01
|
£200
|
£100 each
|
| 2001/02
|
£200
|
£100 each
|
| 2002/03
|
£200
|
£100 each
|
| 2003/04
|
£200
|
£100 each
|
| 2004/05
|
£200
|
£100 each
|
| 2005/06
|
£200
|
£100 each
|
| 2006/07
|
£200
|
£100 each
|
| 2007/08
|
£200
|
£100 each
|
For 2003/04 if you are aged 80 or over and in your household the eligible people were:
Year |
You |
you and someone aged 60 to 79 |
you and someone aged 80+ |
| 2003/04
|
£300
|
£200 you/£100 others
|
£150 each
|
| 2004/05
|
£300
|
£200 you/£100 others
|
£150 each
|
| 2005/06
|
£300
|
£200 you/£100 others
|
£150 each
|
| 2006/07
|
£300
|
£200 you/£100 others
|
£150 each
|
| 2007/08
|
£300
|
£200 you/£100 others
|
£150 each
|
How do I claim for past yearsIf you think you may be able to claim for past years please Contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
Will I need to complete claim forms every year?Once you qualify for a payment, and we have up-to-date information about where you live, payments for future years are generally sent automatically. You must remember to tell us if your circumstances change.
We must get your claim on or before 30 March 2009. The sooner we receive it the quicker we will be able to tell you if you qualify for a payment.
Where can I get a copy of the claim form I need?How do I contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre?The Winter Fuel Payment Team at The International Pension Centre is responsible for making Winter Fuel Payments to people who live outside the UK and can be contacted at:
International Pension Centre
Winter Fuel Team
Tyneview Parkl
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE98 1BA
England
Fax: +44 191 218 2389 (0191 218 3389 in the UK)
Phone: +44 191 218 7777 (0191 218 7777 in the UK)
Textphone +44 191 218 7280 (0191 218 7280 in the UK)
The lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm (UK time).
United Kingdom (UK)
The UK comprises England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It does not include the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.
European Union (EU)
The EU comprises Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. From 04/05, a further 10 countries joined the EU: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.From 07/08 it also includes Romania and Bulgaria.
European Economic Area (EEA)
The EEA comprises all 25 EU countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Switzerland
Switzerland is not a member of the EEA, but signed an agreement with the EU countries in June 2002 to apply EU rules on social security which was extended in May 2006 to include the 10 countries that joined the EU on 1 May 2004.The agreement does not currently extend to Bulgaria and Romania or to the EEA countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway.
The Pension Service is part of the Department for Social Development. It has been set up to improve the service you receive, whether you are already a pensioner or are planning for your retirement.
Find out more about The Pension Service
Contact The Pension Service
Winter Fuel Payments (General Questions)For Winter 2008/09
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 must keep us up to date and tell us about any changes in your circumstances straight away, 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.
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.
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 or Child Benefit), during the Winter Fuel Payment qualifying week.
I live abroad. Can I claim?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 live in another EEA country or Switzerland, you cannot receive a Winter Fuel Payment if for example any of the following apply:
- You are under 60;
- You did not qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment before leaving the UK;
- You permanently left the UK before 5 January 1998;
- You normally live outside the EEA or Switzerland; or
- You normally live in the UK (but you can still receive payments as a UK resident)
- You are in custody under sentence.
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 to the qualifying weeks for the years from 2000/01 onwards.
Why have I only received £125?You are only entitled to £125 if, during the qualifying week, you did not get Pension Credit or income-based 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 which you have received.
Alternatively, if no contact details are available you may be able to get help by contacting 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.
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 19 September 2008, you should receive your payment before Christmas 2008.
You can call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline if you need:
- Further information on Winter Fuel Payments;
- To tell us about a change in your circumstances; or
- To get a claim form for Winter Fuel Payments You can also download this claim form from this website
The Winter Fuel Payment Helpline is on 08459 15 15 15 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users). Lines are open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.We may monitor your call to check the quality of the service you receive
If you prefer, you can ask to be called back. Tell the operator that this is what you want to do and give them your phone number.
Remember, if you are in receipt of a State Pension or another Social Security benefit other than Housing Benefit or Child Benefit you should first contact the office that normally deals with you.
Other sources of informationYou can get further advice or help with your questions about Winter Fuel Payments from your Pension Centre, Jobs & Benefits or Social Security office.
Other organisations such as your local Age Concern centre or Citizens Advice Bureau may also be able to help. Look in your local phone book for their details.
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