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Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free payment form the Social Fund which is aimed at helping people aged 60 or over with the costs of their winter heating bills and other living expenses.
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Do I qualify?
In order to qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment, you need to be aged 60 or over in the qualifying week (the week beginning on the third Monday in September).
However, you will not be awarded a Winter Fuel Payment if:
- You are in hospital receiving free in-patient treatment and have been receiving such treatment for more than 52 weeks;
- You are detained in custody under a sentence;
- You live with your husband, wife or partner and they receive either the Pension Credit or Income-based Job Seekers Allowance (they will qualify for a £200 Winter Fuel Payment which is for both or you);
- You are subject to immigration control;
- You are living in a care home and have been doing so throughout the qualifying week and the 12 weeks prior, and you receive either Pension Credit or Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
How much will I receive?
If you qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment and either you live alone, or you are the only person in your household who qualifies, or you receive the Pension Credit or Income-based Job Seekers Allowance, the you could expect to receive:
£200
if you are aged 60 79
£300
if you are aged 80 or over
If you qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment and you do not receive the Pension Credit or Income-based Job Seekers Allowance and you live with at least one other person who qualifies for a payment, then you could expect to receive:
£100 each
......if you are both (or all) aged 60 79
£150 each
..
.if you and at least one other person are aged 80 or over
£200
....if you are aged 80 or over and the other eligible person is not
How do I claim?
It is not necessary to make a claim, as (if you qualify) the payment should be made automatically.
If, for whatever reason, you havent received your Winter Fuel Payment, and you need to make a claim, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment help-line by ringing 08459 151 515 (if you have speech or hearing difficulties and you use a textphone, then please dial 0845 601 5613)
Alternatively, you can download the Winter Fuel Payments claim form (CH2) from the Pension Service website by logging on to www.thepensionservice.gov.uk, or by clicking your mouse on the following link:
Please click here to download the Winter Fuel Payments claim form (CH2).
Is there anything else I should know?
New this year (2004)!
This year, the government will be making a one-off payment to each eligible household called the One-off 70+ Payment.
The One-off 70+ Payment is a tax-free, lump-sum payment of £100. In order to qualify, you must be aged 70 or over, on or before 26 September 2004, and normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland during that week.
In most cases, the One-off 70+ Payment will be paid automatically with the Winter Fuel Payment. However, some people may need to make a claim. To do this, you should call 029 2042 8106.
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