Time to claim Winter Fuel Payments

Most people entitled to winter fuel payments will get them automatically. In June and July, the Department of Work & Pensions wrote people who reach the qualifying age this year, and asked them to fill in a claim form. This means people who were born on or before 5 January 1951.

 However, the Department doesn’t have the address details for everyone who is eligible. For instance, they won’t have details for people who don’t get their State Pension yet or people who have never claimed any social security benefits.   If this could be you, you must ask for a claim form.

 Winter Fuel Payments are paid at two household rates:

• £200 (qualifying age to 79 years) and

• £300 (80 plus years)

 Claim forms must be received on or before 30 March 2012 to meet the final deadline. People who have had a Winter Fuel Payment in previous years don’t need to claim again - they will be paid automatically.

 Call the Winter Fuel Helpline on 0845 9 15 15 15 for a claim form or to tell them about a change in circumstance. or visit the Winter Fuel Payment Directgov website for more information.