Your home in winter

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a 'Winter Fuel Payment'.

You usually get a Winter Fuel Payment automatically if you're eligible and you get the State Pension or another social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit).

Most payments are made automatically between November and December. 

If you're eligible but don't get paid automatically, you'll need to make a claim.

The deadline to make a claim for winter 2024 to 2025 is 31 March 2025.

To find out if you qualify or need to make a claim visit GOV.UK: Winter Fuel Payments or call Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0800 731 0160 or Textphone 0800 731 0464.

Cold Weather Payment

You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you're getting certain benefits.

You'll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below for 7 consecutive days.

The Cold Weather Payment scheme runs from 1 November to 31 March. 

You'll get a payment of £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.

For more information please see GOV.UK: Cold Weather Payment.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You could be eligible for £150 off your electricity bill for winter under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The money isn't paid to you - it's a one-off discount on your electricity bill.

For more information visit GOV.UK: Warm Homes Discount.