Help with heating costs

Most people over 60 and some other people who are at risk of fuel poverty can get help towards their heating costs - don't miss out!

Winter Fuel Payments

If you have reached the minimum qualifying age for Pension Credit you will get a Winter Fuel Payment to help with your winter heating bills.

Please note that State Pension age for women is gradually increasing from 60 to 65 - this began in April 2010. The lower age limit for claiming pension-age benefits is also gradually rising.

To find out when you may qualify for a State Pension, Pension Credit or a Winter Fuel Payment:

• use the Directgov State Pension age calculator link on your right
  
• or call the Pension Service on  0845 606 0265. 

The Winter Fuel Payment is a single tax-free payment.

Who can claim

Winter Fuel Payments are paid automatically before Christmas each year if:

• you get a retirement pension or certain other benefits
• or you received a payment last year.

Other people aged 60 or over will need to make a claim.

It does not matter how much income or savings you have, and payments will not affect your other benefits or pension.

How to claim

To learn more about Winter Fuel Payment or make a claim, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline using the contact details on the right.

Cold Weather Payments

These are paid for each week of exceptionally cold weather to help towards extra heating costs.  You can get this if you receive any of the following benefits.

• pension credit (any rate)
• Income Support; income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and:
  • you are responsible for a child under the age of five
  • or your benefits include extra amounts because you have a long term illness or disability
  • or your Child Tax Credit includes an extra amount because you have a child with a disability or special needs.

For you to receive this help, the average temperature where you live must be (or be forecast to be) zero degrees centigrade or below for seven days in a row between 1 November and 31 March.

You will get a Cold Weather Payment of £25 for each seven-day cold period.

The payment is made automatically, so there is no need to claim.

Warm Front grants

The Warm Front grant is a government-funded grant available for pensioners, families with young children or those with disabilities or special needs.

What Warm Front grants can be used for

Insulation and heating improvements are available through the scheme for all clients, as well as oil central heating for those not on the gas distribution network.

Grants up to the value of £3,500 (up to £6,000 where oil, low carbon or renewable technologies are recommended) are available.

The Warm Front scheme can provide the following improvements:

• loft insulation
• draught-proofing
• cavity wall insulation
• hot water tank insulation
• gas, electric, liquid petroleum gas or oil heating
• glass-fronted fires - the Warm Front scheme can convert solid-fuel open fires to glass-fronted fires

Who can apply for a Warm Front grant

The Warm Front scheme is targeted at people who:

• are on certain income-related benefits
• are living in properties that are poorly insulated and/or do not have a working central heating system
• are private tenants or own their own house.

How to apply for a Warm Front grant

You can apply for a Warm Front grant using the link or Warm Front Grant contact details on the right. Telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm.

Applications may be submitted at any time.

Energy trust grants

The EDF Energy Trust and The British Gas Energy Trust can sometimes give grants to help with fuel and other essential domestic bills.

To qualify for support from these trusts you must be a domestic customer of either EDF Energy or British or Scottish Gas.

Further information

Ring our Welfare Rights team to check if you are missing out on tax credits or benefits. You can also view or download our 'Help with fuel costs' factsheet using the link on your right.