How do I claim my winter fuel allowance

A Winter Fuel Payment is available within the UK to people who qualify it, this payment holds the purpose of helping to pay to keep warm in the winter. The payments which are made are between 125 and 400, the amount received depends on the individual case. The payment is a yearly tax fee payment which will be used to supplement the cost of heating in the winter. If somebody receives the winter fuel payment it will not impact upon any other benefits which are being received. Another useful piece of information is that this is not the same as Cold Weather Payments which can be claimed every week of very cold weather within the local area.
In order to receive the winter fuel allowance people should first check if they are eligible to do so. The qualifying age is for people who were born on or before 5th July 1950 and if somebody normally lives in Great Britain or Northern Ireland on any day in the week of 20-26 September.
People will not be entitled to the payment if during the week of 20-26 September, they were in hospital for more than 52 weeks previously receiving free treatment as an inpatient, they were in custody serving a court sentence, they were subject to immigration control and did not qualify for help from the Department for Work and Pensions and if they lived in a care home, were on pension credit, income based jobseekers allowance or income related employment and support allowance. Once qualified for the winter fuel allowance the payment will be paid on a continuous basis for future years.
If people feel they are eligible for the payment they can apply in several ways. A form can be completed online or an application form can be completed and posted to Winter Fuel Payment Team, Department for Work and Pensions, Unit 16, Coalfield Way, Ashby de la Zouch, LE65 1JF. The application form can be downloaded from the Direct Government website or people can request an application form by phoning 08459151515. In order to make a successful claim there are deadlines in place, this is normally the end of March.
People who wish to claim the money only need to complete one application and this will continue throughout, the payment will be made automatically each year. People should call the winter fuel payment helpline if their circumstances change such as moving address, changing bank account details, moving overseas or somebody else within the household becomes entitled.