TEMPERATURES have well and truly dropped and this may leave many households concerned about rising bills.

If you're struggling, there's help available by way of the winter fuel payment, formerly the winter fuel allowance.

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The grant is usually worth between £100 and £300 for those over state pension age, currently 66.

The winter fuel payment was put in place by the government as one of several supportive measures for vulnerable households.

But payments are being boosted by a further £300 through the "pensioner cost of living" payment.

Most people are paid in November and December but if you have not received it by January 26, 2024 you'll need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

Here's everything you need to know about the winter fuel payment, formerly known as the winter fuel allowance.

What is the winter fuel payment?

The winter fuel payment is an annual tax-free benefit designed to help with the cost of heating through the colder months.

Most people who are eligible get it automatically like the state pension or benefits.

You do need to meet certain criteria and you won't necessarily qualify just because you claim housing benefit, council tax reduction, child benefit or Universal Credit.

Households eligible for the payment should have been told via a letter in October or November last year.

If you do meet the criteria but don't automatically get the winter fuel payment, you will have to apply on the government's website.

 

If you didn't get a letter but think you are eligible you can make a claim, the deadline for winter 2023 to 2024 is March 31, 2024.

You'll qualify for a winter fuel payment if both of the following apply:

• you were born on or before September 25, 1957
• you lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of September 18 to 24, 2023 in what is known as the "qualifying week"

If you did not live in the UK during the qualifying week, you might still get the payment if both the following apply:

• you live in Switzerland or a EEA country
• you have a "genuine and sufficient" link with the UK social security system, such as having lived or worked in the UK and having a family in the UK

But there are exclusions - you can’t get the payment if you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain.

This is because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK.

How much can I get?

We've also added a breakdown of the winter fuel payment rates for 2023-2024, which varies depending on your circumstances.

We've listed who will get what, according to the government.

Remember this includes your extra £300 pensioner cost of living payment boost.

• You qualify and live alone - £500 to £600
• You qualify alongside someone you live with who is under 80 and also qualifies - £250 to £350
• You qualify and live with someone over 80 who also qualifies - £250 to £300
• If either you or your partner also receives benefits - £500 to £600 (this amount is the same if someone you live with who isn't your partner receives certain benefits)
• If you qualify but live in a care home and don't get benefits - £250 to £300

When will I get the payment?

Those eligible should have received automatic payments between November and December, and you should have received the payment by January 26, 2024 at the latest.

If you haven't got your payment by then, you need to call the office that pays your benefits.

Those details can be found in the letters they have sent you.

And if you're found to be ineligible for the winter fuel payment but want to challenge that decision, there's a government form for that, too.

If you're eligible, make sure you apply for support funding like the Cold Weather Payments and the Warm Home Discount.

Additional support is also offered by councils in the UK through the Household Support Fund.