What is the Winter Fuel Payment?
It is a yearly tax free payment to help people pay for their heating in the winter. Getting the Winter Fuel Payment will not affect any other benefits you may get. This is different to Cold Weather Payments which you may get for each week of very cold weather in your area
Are you eligible?
You may get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2010/11 if:
•you have reached the qualifying age (born on or before 5 July 1950)
•you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland on any day in the week of 20–26 September 2010
You won’t qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if, during the week of 20–26 September 2010:
•you were in hospital for more than 52 weeks previously, getting free treatment as an inpatient
•you were in custody serving a court sentence
•you were subject to immigration control and did not qualify for help from the Department for Work and Pensions
•you lived in a care home, an independent hospital or Ilford Park Polish Resettlement Home (and had done so for the previous 12 weeks or more) and you were on Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Once you have qualified for a Winter Fuel Payment, you may be able to continue to receive future payments if you move to another European Economic Area country.
How to apply
If you think you qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment, then you will need to apply. To apply you can:
•complete the claim form on screen or print it out and fill it in with black ink
•get a claim form sent to you by calling the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0845 9 15 15 15
The completed forms need to be returned to:
Winter Fuel Payment Team
Department for Work and Pensions
Unit 16
Coalfield Way
Ashby de la Zouch
LE65 1JF
To claim for the 2010/11 payment The Pension Service need to have received the form on or before 30 March 2011. You can no longer get a Winter Fuel Payment for last winter.
for more information, click here
www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits...tirement/dg_10018657
