The Winter (Winter Sale is here) Fuel Payment is one of several government schemes to help people with Winter (Winter Sale is here) heating costs.
In addition to the Cold Weather Payment and Warm House Discount, the Winter (Winter Sale is here) Fuel Payment provides a bit of extra cash to put towards energy bills that creep up as the days and nights get colder.
It’s usually paid automatically – with eligible people getting a letter telling them the amount they’re due.
However, if you aren’t on benefits and have never received it before, and think you might be entitled to it, you may need to put in a claim to ensure you get the payment.
Especially since, for Winter (Winter Sale is here) 2023/24, it is accompanied by the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment.
Claims can be made from a certain date onwards – so when can you apply, and do you even need to apply?
When can you claim the Winter (Winter Sale is here) Fuel Payment for 2023/24?
Most people who are eligible for the Winter (Winter Sale is here) Fuel Payment get it automatically.
However, if you don’t get it automatically and think you should be getting it, you can claim the Winter (Winter Sale is here) 23/24 payment from September 18, 2023 onwards, gov.uk has shared.
A claim form is set to be shared, but you can also apply by phone or by post.
To be eligible for the Winter (Winter Sale is here) Fuel Payment, you must be born before September 26, 1956.
Usually, eligible people need to live in the UK (though not always), and there are some conditions in place – for example: you can’t have been in prison during a qualifying week.
Find out more about eligibility on gov.uk.
This year, those eligible will get between £250 and £600, including a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment of either £150 to £300. How much you get depends on your circumstances.
Typically, you’ll get a letter around October/November time, which explains how much you’ll get it.
The payment then arrives automatically, usually in November or December.
If you are the right age and receive State Pension, Pension Credit or any of the following benefits, it should be automatic:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carers Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Incapacity Benefit
- Income Support
- Industrial Death Benefit
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- awards from the War Pensions Scheme.
However, if you are the right age but don’t get any of these benefits, you’ll need to claim it if you’ve never received the Winter (Winter Sale is here) Fuel Payment before, or deferred your State Pension since you last received it.
If you don’t live in the UK and are classed as eligible, you can claim in a different way.
MORE : How many Cost of Living Payments will there be in 2023?
MORE : How the cost of living crisis is affecting people approaching retirement
MORE : Who is eligible for £400 energy support as May 31 deadline approaches?
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First appear at When can you claim the Winter (Winter Sale is here) Fuel Payment for 2023/24? Date revealed
