Winter Fuel Payments

Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free annual benefit, that is usually paid from November, and according to your personal circumstances you may receive between £100 and £300 (for period 2011-12).

Who gets it?

To qualify you should be aged 60 or over and normally live in the United Kingdom. If you are applying for the first time, and are not getting a state pension or any other benefit (apart from housing benefit, council tax benefit or child benefit), this payment will not be automatic - you will need to apply.

You can get a claim form by calling 08459 151515, or check out the government's information on their website for first-time winter fuel payment claimants.

If you have a look at the government information on their website, you will notice that the qualifying age will be increasing and you will have to be older than 60 in future to be eligible for the payment.