Overview

If you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits.

You will not get the extra Pensioner Cost of Living Payment given in 2022 and 2023. It stopped in winter 2023.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get.

If you do not get a letter but you think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.

Most eligible people are paid in November or December. Find out what to do if you are not paid.

If you live in Scotland

You cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment. The Scottish Government plans to give a similar payment. If eligible, you will get it from DWP.

Other help with heating bills

You could also get:

  • a Cold Weather Payment - if you get certain benefits and the temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 days in a row
  • the Warm Home Discount - this is a £150 discount on your bills if you get Pension Credit or live in a low-income household
  • help from the Household Support Fund, if you’re eligible under your local council’s rules - check on your local council’s website
  1. Step 1 Check when you can retire

  2. and Check how much pension you could get

  3. Step 2 Increase your pension

    You might be able to increase the amount you get if you delay your pension.

    1. Find out about delaying your pension

    You might be able to pay voluntary contributions to fill in gaps in your National Insurance record (such as, from when you were not working or claiming benefits).

    1. Check if you can pay voluntary National Insurance contributions

    For advice about increasing your workplace or private pension, speak to a financial adviser.

    1. Find a financial adviser through Unbiased
  4. Step 3 Check what other financial support you could get

  5. Step 4 Decide when to retire