Deadline to claim Pension Credit in order to receive Winter Fuel Payment
Winter Fuel Payment is now only paid to pensioners on low incomes who receive certain benefits, such as Pension Credit.
Eligibility for Pension Credit can be checked here.
The deadline for making a backdated claim for Pension Credit, in order to receive the Winter Fuel Payment is 21 December 2024.
Anyone born before 23 September 1958 could receive either £200 or £300 to help pay heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025.
To be eligible for Winter Fuel Payment individuals must 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
The amount received is based on when an individual was born and their circumstances between 16 and 22 September 2024. This is called the ‘qualifying week’.
Any money received is tax-free and will not affect other benefits.
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible. Individuals do not need to claim if they are in receipt of any benefits listed above.
While around 1.4 million pensioners are already receiving Pension Credit there are up to an estimated 880,000 households eligible for the support who are yet to claim.
The final date for making a backdated claim for Pension Credit, in order to receive the Winter Fuel Payment, is 21 December 2024.
Read more about Pension Credit here: Pension Credit: Overview - GOV.UK.