Winter Fuel Allowance Pensioners

-All You Need To Know

The Winter Fuel Allowance Is Available For pensioners To Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter

Find Out All About This Free Grant And How To Claim It

What is the Winter Fuel Payment?

The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax free payment from the government that is paid to all people over pension credit age.

For winter 2023 to 2024 this covers people born on or before 26 September 1956.

The Winter Fuel Payment is not linked to your expenditure on fuel to heat your home but help towards it.

The Winter Fuel Allowance is not means-tested too and you are eligible for the payment whether you are still working or claiming any benefits.

How Much Is The Winter Fuel Payment For 23 /24

The Winter Fuel Payment for 23 /24 will be between £250 and £600 depending on your personal circumstances.

The amount you get includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’.

This is between £150 and £300. You’ll get this extra amount in winter 2023 to 2024.

This is in addition to any other Cost of Living Payments you get with your benefit or tax credits.

The amount you will get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 18 to 24, 2023.

This is called the ‘qualifying week’.

More Pensioners help with heating bills

You could also get:

a Cold Weather Payment – if you get certain benefits and the temperature drops to zero degrees celsius or below for 7 days in a row
the Warm Home Discount – this is a £150 discount on your bills if you get Pension Credit or live in a low-income household
help from the Household Support Fund, if you’re eligible under your local council’s rules – check on your local council’s website

Winter Fuel Allowance -Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the winter fuel allowance for pensioners this year?

It ranges between £250 and £600 depending on your circumstances, and this is all tax-free.

This amount includes a pensioner cost of living payment, which is between £150 and £300.

This is an additional sum for winter 2023/2024 to help pensioners pay for heating bills as the cost of living crisis continues.

Do husband and wife pensioners both get winter fuel allowance?

If you live alone you receive the full amount of the payment.

If you live with a partner or spouse of pension age the individual amount is split between you.

Is the Winter Fuel Payment per pensioner or per household?

A Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off, tax-free payment made to households with someone over pension age.

Will The Winter Fuel allowance be scrapped ?

Number 10 has confirmed winter fuel payments will not be scrapped for all but the poorest pensioners following speculation after the Tory Party Conference. It had been reported that cuts could be made to the Winter Fuel Payments scheme in order to allow Rishi Sunak to keep his pledge over the pension triple lock.

Winter Fuel Payment dates

Most payments will be made between November and December.

However, if you have not received a letter or payment by January 26, 2024, and believe you are eligible for the support, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

This is everything you need to know about Winter Fuel Payments in 2023/24

Can pensioners get help with central heating?

Yes but you need to be in receipt of Pension Credit.

See our Central Heating page

Does every household get the winter fuel allowance?

Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment for households that include someone born on or before 24 September 1957 (for 2023-24). It’s designed to help you cover your heating costs in winter.