THE Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update regarding the application process for Winter Fuel Payment.
They have published a form for those who are eligible to claim a Winter Fuel Payment but need to apply for it manually.
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More than nine million pensioners will receive the cash boost this winter to help cover the cost of rising energy bills.
DWP confirmed eligible people in England and Wales will automatically receive the funds.
But those who need to apply manually can find the form on the Government’s website: https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they are eligible.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 22 September 1959 and live in England or Wales.
You do not need to claim if you get any of the following:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit
If you do not get any of the above, you need to claim if either of the following apply:
- You have not got the Winter Fuel Payment before
- You have deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment
How do I apply for a Winter Fuel Payment?
If you are eligible and need to apply, you can claim by post from 15 September.
You can apply by filling in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form and sending it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
You can also call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 to claim by phone.
You can claim by phone from 13 October onwards.
Before the call, you will need to know your National Insurance number, your bank or building society details and the date you were married or entered a civil partnership, if appropriate.
You will also need to say whether during the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September 2025 you were either in hospital getting free in-patient treatment, in a residential care home or Ilford Park Resettlement Home, or in prison.
The deadline for making a claim is 31 March 2026.
How much will I get?
The amount you will receive is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 15 and September 21 this year.
This is known as the “qualifying week”.
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you will get either:
- £200, if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959
- £300, if you were born before 22 September 1945
If you live with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment and are not on benefits, you will get a payment of:
- £100, if you and the person you live with were both born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959
- £100, if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959 but the person you live with was born before 22 September 1945
- £200, if you were born before 22 September 1945 but the person you live with was born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959
- £150, if you and the person you live with were born before 22 September 1945
If you and your partner jointly claim one of the following benefits, you will receive a different amount: Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Income Support.
If you are on one of these benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:
- £200, if both of you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959
- £300, if one or both of you were born before 22 September 1945
If you get any of the same above benefits, but not as part of a joint claim, you’ll get a payment of either:
- £200, if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959
- £300, if you were born before 22 September 1945
However, in all the above cases, if your taxable income is more than £35,000, your Winter Fuel Payment will be taken back either through PAYE or through Self Assessment.
If you live in a care home, you will get either:
- £100, if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959
- £150, if you were born before 22 September 1945
Most Winter Fuel Payments are made in November or December.
What energy bill help is available?
There’s a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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