Winter Fuel Payments 2010/2011
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Winter fuel payments are paid by the Government to help elderly people to help pay for their heating bills in the winter. This tax free payment is available to people born on or before 5 July 1950 and who are normally resident in Great Britain or Northern Ireland on any day between 20 -26 September 2010. They do not affect other benefits that the household may be receiving. However you will not qualify for this payment if you fall into any of the following criteria:
- You were receiving treatment as an inpatient in hospital for more than 52 weeks previously
- You were remanded in custody serving a court sentence
- You were subject to immigration control and did not qualify for help from the Department for Work & Pensions
- You lived in a care home for at least 12 weeks or an independent hospital and received certain income related benefits
If you have previously received the winter fuel payment and/or receive state pension then you will automatically receive your payment when they are paid in November/December.
If you think you are entitled to the winter fuel payment and haven’t received it by the end of December then you should call the Pension Service in January. The latest date that you are able to claim for the 2010/2011 payment is 30 March 2011.
The amount payable will vary depending on your personal circumstances. Payments can be between £125 - £400 depending on your circumstances and is tax free. For full details of what payment you are entitled to you should refer to the Direct.gov website.
If your circumstances change then you will need to call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline. For example if you move house or your bank details change.
For full details of Winter Fuel Payments please see the Direct.Gov website
In order to keep your heating bills down as much as possible this winter don’t forget to check that you are still on the best possible deal for your household at www.ukpower.co.uk
Cold Weather Payment
An additional payment to the Winter Fuel Payment, called a Cold Weather Payment may be available if you fall into certain circumstances i.e.: if you are on low income or on an income –related employment benefit. For full details of who is entitled to the cold weather payment please see the Direct.Gov website.
This payment is different to the winter fuel payment in that it depends on the weather and temperature in your area. For this payment to be made the average temperature where you live must be forecast or recorded to have been zero degrees Celsius or below for over 7 consecutive days during 1st November to 31 March. Specific weather stations up and down the country are used to record the temperature. This year the payment is £25.
Some suppliers also include other cold weather payments in some of their tariffs. To check out these tariffs and others please see www.ukpower.co.uk
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