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Money, tax and benefits

Money, tax and benefits

Winter Fuel Payment

If you're aged 60 or over you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay for keeping warm in winter. The tax-free annual benefit is normally paid from November - most payments are made by Christmas.

Who is eligible?

You may get a Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) for winter 2009/10 if the following apply:

  • you're aged 60 or over during 21 to 27 September 2009
  • you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland

How much do you get?

Eligible people aged 60-79 can get up to £250 and up to £400 if they are aged 80 or over.

Couples both aged 60 or over who qualify and who are receiving Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance will get one payment made to the person receiving that benefit, the other person is not entitled to the payment.

How it's paid

If you're getting State Pension or another benefit (apart from Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit) you will receive your Winter Fuel Payment in the same way that you usually receive your State Pension or benefit.

If you're not getting a State Pension or another benefit (apart from Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit) your Winter Fuel Payment will be paid by the method of payment you indicate on your claim form.

Timing of payments

Most eligible people should get their Winter Fuel Payment automatically. However, some people may need to make a claim. For example, if you did not get a Winter Fuel Payment last year or during the qualifying week you did not get a social security benefit which is administered by the DWP.

The deadline for receiving claims for Winter Fuel Payments was on or before 30 March 2009. If you have any queries about your claim for winter 2008/09 contact the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline. You should have your National Insurance number ready when you call.

Effect on other benefits

The Winter Fuel Payment won't affect your other benefits and you won't have to pay Income Tax on it.

How to apply

If you're aged 60 or over by 27 September 2009 and getting a State Pension or other benefit (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax benefit or Child Benefit) there's no need to apply - Winter Fuel Payment should be paid to you automatically.

If you think you qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment but aren't getting a State Pension or benefits (or only receive Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit) - you'll need to claim.

The claim form for winter 2009/10 will be available from July 2009. You can get more information by calling the Winter Fuel Payment helpline 08459 151 515, textphone 0845 601 5613. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

When to apply

You should claim on or before 25 September 2009 to get your payment by Christmas. All claims for the 2009/10 payment must be received by 30 March 2010.

After receiving your first Winter Fuel Payment you should automatically get Winter Fuel Payment each year as long as your circumstances do not change.

Applying for past winters

If you are eligible, you can claim Winter Fuel Payments for the years 1997/98 to 1999/2000. From 2001 time limits for claims were introduced.

This means that payments cannot be made for late claims for any of these years 2000/01 to 2007/08. Claims for these years had to be received on or before 30 March for the relevant winter, for example, a claim for winter 2007/08 had to be received before 30 March 2008.

You can download a claim form for past winters from The Pension Service website to print and complete.

What to do if your circumstances change

It's important you tell the office that deals with your payments if:

  • you move home
  • you change your bank account details
  • you stop getting benefits (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax benefit and Child Benefit)
  • or any other change of circumstances that may affect your payment

This will ensure you continue to get the right amount of payments.

Changes from winter 2010-11

The qualifying age for Winter Fuel Payments will rise gradually from age 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020. This is to keep in line with changes to the State Pension age for women.

If you first qualify for Winter Fuel Payment in 2010–11 or later this will apply to you.

If you have already received the Winter Fuel Payment in a previous year you will not be affected.

What else you need to know

If you're getting Pension Credit or another income-related benefit, you could be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment to help with your heating costs during cold weather in your area.

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