Winter Fuel Payments

If you or the person you care for were born on or before 5th October 1955 (for winter 2025/2023, this date changes every year) you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a “Winter Fuel Payment”, a yearly tax free payment to help you pay for your heating in winter. Getting the payment will not affect any of your other benefits.

To qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Have reached the qualifying age (born on or before 5th October 1955) (for winter 2022 to 2023 – this date changes every year);
  • Normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland during the last full week of September (this is called the ‘qualifying week’).

Payment is normally automatic and is paid between November and December. You will need to make a claim for the payment by 31st March by calling the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160.

Cold Weather Payments

If you or the person you care for are receiving certain benefits you may be able to get a Cold Weather Payment of £25 for each week between 1st November and 31st March, in which the average temperature in your local area is at or below freezing over 7 consecutive days.

You don’t need to apply- if you are entitled to a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll be paid it automatically.

You may be entitled to Cold Weather Payment if you or the person you care for are receiving:

  • Pension Credit;
  • Income Support;
  • Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance plus one of the following:
    • Disability or pensioner premium;
    • Child who is disabled;
    • Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element;
    • Child under 5 living with you.
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance plus one of the following:
    • Severe or enhanced disability premium;
    • Pensioner premium;
    • Child who is disabled;
    • Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element;
    • Child under 5 living with you.
  • Universal Credit, where you are not employed or self-employed, plus one of the following:
    • You get a limited capability for work amount (with or without a work-related activity amount);
    • You get the disabled child amount in your claim;
    • You have a child under 5 living with you.

You’ll also be eligible if you have a disabled child amount in your claim, whether you are employed or not.

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount scheme means that if you meet certain conditions you could get a discount on your electricity bill.

You will qualify for this discount if you met all the following conditions:

  • Your electricity supplier was part of the scheme;
  • Your name (or your partner’s) was on the bill;
  • You were getting Guarantee Pension Credit (even if you get Savings Pension Credit as well).

If you met the above conditions you should have received a letter between October and December telling you either:

  • You don’t have to apply – you’ll get the discount automatically;
  • Whether you have to call the helpline to confirm some details.

If you don’t get a letter by 31st December 2022 but think you meet the above conditions then you should contact the Warm Home Discount Team on 0800 731 0214. Your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill.

If you don’t meet the above conditions but are on a low income or get certain means-tested benefits you may still be able to apply for this discount. Each electricity supplier has their own extra eligibility conditions, and you should contact your supplier to see if you meet their conditions, and if so how to apply.

https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/what-we-do-and-how-we-work/campaigns/stay-well-this-winter