Winter Fuel Payment - How do I claim a Winter Fuel Payment?

Most people do not need to make a claim for a Winter Fuel Payment. You are usually paid automatically if you are getting Pension Credit, Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Universal Credit.

You will be paid automatically if you meet the new benefit eligibility criteria, got a payment last winter and your circumstances have not changed.

You might need to claim:

• if you didn't get the Winter Fuel Payment last year
• if you or your partner gets Universal Credit
• if you live abroad even if you do get one of these benefits

For the winter of 2024/2025, claims must be sent and arrive by 31 March 2025.

Making a claim

You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by:

• post - from 30 September 2024
• phone - from 28 October 2024

There's a different way to claim if you live abroad. 

If you get Universal Credit, you should claim through your journal. You will receive a message explaining how to claim. 

Claim over the phone

Telephone: 0800 731 0160
Textphone: Call Relay UK on 18001 then 0800 731 0160

Claim by post

Fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form for UK residents and sent it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. 

If you live abroad

You can claim by post. You'll need to download and fill in:

• a Winter Fuel Payment claim form
• form IPCF091, if you're a UK national or UK dual national living in an eligible country other than Ireland

Download the forms

You can also claim by phone:

Telephone: 0800 731 0160

Textphone: Call Relay UK on 18001 then 0800 731 0160

British Sign Language (BSL): video relay service

What documents will I need to claim a Winter Fuel Payment?

You will need your national insurance number , the date of your marriage or civil partnership and your bank details.

You will also need to tell whether during 16 to 22 September 2024 you were in hospital, residential care home or in prison. 

When will my Winter Fuel Payment claim begin?

Most payments are made automatically between November and December. You should usually get your money by Christmas.

If you meet the qualifying conditions for a Winter Fuel Payment but do not get your payment automatically, you will need to make a claim and payment will be made to you three months after applying.

If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 29 January 2025, contact the Winter Fuel Payment  Centre.

You cannot claim a Winter Fuel Payment for previous winters.