Financial Support for Pensioners: Winter 2024/25

Winter Fuel Payment

The 2024 Winter Fuel Payment is a payment to help with heating bills for the winter. The amount you receive depends on your year of birth:

£200: If you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
£300: If you were born before September 23, 1944

Eligibility

You are probably aware from media coverage that the eligibility for the payment has significantly changed this year. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimates that 9.3 million fewer people will claim the Winter Fuel Payment in 2024–25 than in 2023–24. This is due to the government's decision to link the payment to Pension Credit, a means-tested benefit for pensioners on low incomes.

To be eligible for the 2024 Winter Fuel Payment, you must:

Be a resident of England or Wales
Receive Pension Credit or another means-tested benefit
Not have been in prison during the week of September 16–22, 2024
Not have been in a hospital for more than a year receiving free treatment
Not have lived in a care home for the entire period from June 24 to September 22, 2024

If you're eligible, you'll usually receive the payment automatically and will receive a letter in October or November 2024. You can call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre if you're not sure if you're eligible, but you can't make a claim by phone.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is extra money for pensioners to bring your weekly income up to a minimum amount. As of August 2024, it's estimated that up to 880,000 households are eligible for Pension Credit but are not claiming it. It is vital that you check to see if you are eligible for this benefit as it can not only top up your weekly income but also act as a gateway for other benefits such as Winter Fuel Payments, Council Tax, TV License, healthcare and other costs.

You can apply now:

You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:

National Insurance number
information about any income, savings and investments you have
information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually 3 months ago or the date you reached State Pension age)

You’ll also need your bank account details. Depending on how you apply, you may also be asked for your bank or building society name, sort code and account number.

Apply Now

Not Eligible for Pension Credit/ Winter Fuel Allowance?

Warm Home Scheme

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill.

If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you.

You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible.

You qualify if you either:

get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
are on a low income and have high energy costs

Help with Energy Bills

If you or your family member/ friend are not eligible for the above there may be other forms of financial support available to help cover the costs of heating throughout winter 24/25.

Both Local Authorities have pulled together further information covering the Energy Price Guarantee, Grants and so much more. Take a look:

Middlesbrough Council Residents

Redcar & Cleveland Residents