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Winter fuel and cold weather payments

Winter fuel and cold weather payments

There are three main benefits which are designed specifically to help people pay electricity and gas bills:

• Warm Home Discount
• Winter Fuel Payment
• Cold Weather Payments

Winter Fuel Payment

This is a tax-free payment of between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills. It does not affect any other benefits received and it does not count as taxable income.

There is no means test. This is a benefit dependent on age:

• Winter 2017/18: All people born on or before 5 August 1953 qualify
• Winter 2018/19: All those born on or before 5 November 1953 qualify
• Winter 2019/20: All those born on or before 5 April 1954 qualify

Most payments are made between 1 November and Christmas. A letter is sent beforehand giving the estimated payment date. Payment is into the customer's bank account.

Most payments are made automatically. However, if you do not receive any social security benefits nor the State Retirement Pension, or receives only Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, you must make an application when first reaching the qualifying age.

For further information, please visit the winter fuel payment page or phone 03459 15 15 15.

Cold Weather Payments

These are payments of £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. The trigger is an average temperature of zero Celsius or below in the area for seven days in a row. These payments do not affect any other benefits received.

Cold Weather Payments are paid to people on certain benefits. Most people on Pension Credit qualify, as do those on Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit provided other additional criteria apply.

Payments are made into the customer's bank account no more than two weeks after the period of cold weather. If someone is due a Cold Weather Payment, it will be paid automatically.

For further information, please visit the cold weather payment page or phone your local DWP office.