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Pension Credit claims and Winter Fuel Payment

Pension Credit claims and Winter Fuel Payment

Learn how to apply for these benefits, eligibility rules, and claim options.

This information was last updated on 31 October 2024.

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help you with heating costs during the colder months. 

Eligibility

You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you're born before 23 September 1958.

You must also live in England or Wales and get one of the following:

  • Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
  • Income Support
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit

Find out if you're eligible for Winter Fuel Payment and how much you could get.

If you're eligible, you could also be entitled to a range of additional support like:

  • Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
  • support for mortgage interest if you own the property you live in
  • a Council Tax discount
  • a free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
  • help with NHS dental treatment, glasses, and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit
  • help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme

Pension credit eligibility

You could be entitled to Pension Credit, worth an average of £3,900 per year, even if you own your home or have savings. Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.

Additional support may be available if you're:

  • a carer
  • severely disabled
  • responsible for a child or young person

Apply online

You can use the online service if you've already applied for your State Pension, Apply for Pension Credit.

Apply by phone

A friend or family member can call on your behalf. Pension Credit claim line:

Apply by post

Print out and fill in the Pension Credit claim form. Visit Pension Credit on GoV.UK  and print the application in the Apply by Post section or call the claim line on 0800 991 234 to request a form. Send the completed claim form to the Pension Service:

The Pension Service 
8 Post Handling Site B 
Wolverhampton 
WV99 1AN

 Or you can ask someone to do it for you. 

Help to claim Pension Credit

Further information and help to apply for Pension Credit is available from:

Age UK Northumberland

Your local Age UK can offer you free, confidential, and impartial advice on benefit and money matters. They can also help you with making these benefit claims. To book an appointment with an advisor, telephone: 01670 784 800

Citizen's Advice Northumberland

Citizen's Advice Northumberland are also available to support you to make your application and can be contacted on 0808 278 7944.