How to check your entitlement for the Winter Fuel Payment

Following the announcement by the Government that the Winter Fuel Payment will be means-tested, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging pensioners to check in September, if they are entitled to Pension Credit.

How do I know if I am eligible for pension credit?

Pensioners whose weekly income is below £218.15 for a single person or £332.95 for a couple should check to see if they could be eligible.

Pensioners who own their own home or have savings or a private pension income could still be eligible – with DWP’s online calculator able to work out how much an individual could get.

 

Applying for Pension Credit

Applications for Pension Credit can be made:

  • On the How to Claim page
  • Over the phone by calling 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm)
  • By printing out and filling in a paper application form
  • For more information visit the Pension Credit GOV.UK page.

You need to be in receipt of Pension Credit in the week of 16-22 September to be automatically eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. The last date for making a backdated claim for Pension Credit, in order to receive the Winter Fuel Payment is 21 December 2024.

 

About Winter Fuel Payments

The Winter Fuel Payment is worth £300 for households with someone aged 80 or over. Households with someone aged 66-79 will receive £200.

If you live alone: You’ll get either:

  • £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958.
  • £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944.

If you live with someone:  If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:

  • £200 if both of you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958.
  • £300 if one or both of you were born before 23 September 1944.

 

How to get in touch with us

If you need any help or assistance in applying for pension credit do, please get in touch either telephoning us on the helpline on 020 7898 1824 or by email to [email protected].