4 ways to help you through the winter months.
- Household Support Fund
To help people get essentials such as food and clothes and utilities in the cold months. You can apply through your local council. Small grants are distributed on a case by case basis, in the form of cash, vouchers and payments onto your credit card.
Head to the gov.uk website to find out more.
2. Winter Fuel Payment
People could receive between £100-£300. To be eligible, you have to have been born on or before 25th September 1995. You have to have lived in the UK at least one day during the week of 20th- 26th September 2021. This is the qualifying week.
If you did not live in the UK then, you may still be eligible for the payment if both of the following apply:
- You live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area country.
- You have a genuine and sufficient link to the UK — this can include having lived/ worked in the UK and having family that reside in the UK.
The deadline for application is March 2022.
You can find the exact amount you might be entitled to by visiting the gov.uk website.
You only need to apply if you have never received it before.
How to claim by post
There is a form attached on the website.
Claim for the first time by phone
Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to claim by phone.
Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Telephone: 0800 731 0160
Telephone from outside the UK: +44 (0)191 218 7777
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 731 0160
Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users — check you can use this service
New claims or payment enquiries: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 3:30pm
Report a change of circumstances or eligibility enquiries: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm — may be call charges
3. Warm Home Discount Scheme
A one off discount of £140 off your energy bill between October and March. It is available for those on low income and recipients of pension credit.
Contact your energy supplier to see if you qualify for the discount. You might be eligible for payment from last year.
If you receive pension credit, you should have already received a letter. If you have not or need general advice, you can call the campaigns call line on 0800 731 0214.
If you have a prepayment meter or pay as you go, the discount will be a voucher.
4. Cold Weather Payment
This is a payment given if the temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days.
You will receive £25 for each seven-day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31.
To qualify for Cold Weather Payments, you should be on one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Those on Universal Credit are only eligible for Cold Weather Payments if they are not employed or self-employed. One of the following must also apply:
- You have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work (with or without work-related activity)
- You have a child under five living with you
As an exception to the rule, all UC claimants qualify for this payment if they get extra money for looking after a disabled child, regardless of whether they are employed or not.
