Stay cosy on cold days
Most people over 60 can get help towards their heating costs - don't miss out!
Winter Fuel Payments
If you are aged 60 or over you will get a Winter Fuel Payment to help with your winter heating bills. This is a tax-free, single payment of either:
- £200 for each household, or
- £300 for households with someone aged 80 or over.
Who can claim
Winter Fuel Payments are paid automatically before Christmas each year if:
- you get a Retirement Pension or certain other benefits
- or you received a payment last year.
Other people aged 60 or over will need to make a claim.
It does not matter how much income or savings you have, and payments will not affect your other benefits or pension.
How to claim
Ring the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0845 915 1515 or 0845 601 1107 (for textphone users).
Visit the Pension Service website for more information.
Cold Weather Payments
These are paid for exceptionally cold weeks to help towards extra heating costs. You can get this if you receive any of the following benefits.
To get this help the temperature must drop below zero degrees centigrade for seven days in a row.
You will get a Cold Weather Payment of £8.50 for each seven-day cold period.
The payment is made automatically, so there is no need to claim.
Warm Front Grant
The Warm Front Grant is a government-funded grant available for pensioners, families with young children or those with disabilities or special needs.
Energy trust grants
The EDF Energy Trust and The British Gas Energy Trust can sometimes give grants to help with fuel and other essential domestic bills.
To qualify for support from these trusts you must be a domestic customer of either EDF Energy, or British or Scottish Gas.
Related information on our website
Further information
Ring our Welfare Rights Team to check if you are missing out on tax credits or benefits.