Most Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically in November or December. If you are eligible, you will receive a letter in October or November stating how much you will get and which bank account it will be paid into. This is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits. If you do not receive a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 26, 2024, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

The qualifying week for Winter Fuel Payment for the winter of 2023 to 2024 is September 18 to 24, 2023. The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you can receive each winter can vary according to your personal circumstances, such as your age or other people living with you who are also eligible. If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you will get either £500 if you were born between September 25, 1943, and September 24, 1957, or £600 if you were born before September 25, 1943. If you live with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, your payment may be different if you get one of the following benefits: Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Income Support.

If you do not get any of the benefits, you will get a payment of either £200 or £300, depending on your age. If you have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before, do not receive a State Pension or certain other benefits, you will need to apply to receive this payment. You can claim for winter 2023 to 2024 from September 18, 2023. You can claim by calling the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160. You will need to provide your National Insurance number and bank or building society details.