News
January 2006
Stay warm this winter with a range of help
The Government administers several initiatives designed to help older people through the winter months. You may be eligible for a range of payments and assistance depending on your age, location and other benefits you already receive.
Winter Fuel Payments
A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help people aged 60 and
over with their winter heating bills.
Winter Fuel Payments are made to people who normally live in Great Britain
or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week, which is 19-25 September
2005 for this winter.
If you were aged 60 or over on or before 25 September 2005, you could
get a payment of up to £200 from the Government to help with your
winter heating costs. If you were aged 80 or over, you could get up
to £300.
Most payments are made automatically by the Department for Work and
Pensions during November and December. The majority of payments have
already been made.
If you have not received a payment but think you qualify, you should call the office that normally pays your benefit. Some people may need to claim their payments. If you think you may need to make a claim then please contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline
All claims for Winter Fuel Payments must be received by 30 March 2006.
Find out more about Winter Fuel Payments
Cold Weather Payments
If you're getting Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, you may eligible for a Cold Weather Payment. This is different from a Winter Fuel Payment, which you may also be eligible for.
A Cold Weather Payment helps towards your extra heating costs when there is a spell of cold weather in your area. The Department for Work and Pensions will automatically pay you when the average temperature is recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0 degrees Centigrade or below over seven days in a row at a given weather station. Every residential postcode in the country is linked to one of the 74 weather stations used in the scheme.
Warm Front Scheme
If you're aged 60 or over, live in England and get certain disability or income-related benefits, you may be able to get a range of insulation and heating measures worth up to £2,700, or £4,000 if the measures recommended include oil central heating through the Government’s Warm Front Scheme. Please note however that the Scheme is not intended to be an emergency repair service.
Find out more about the Warm Front Scheme
Warm Deal
If you're aged 60 or over, live in Scotland and get a disability or income-related benefit, you may qualify for a package of home-insulation measures worth up to £500. If you're aged over 60 but not getting benefits, you can get a lower grant of up to £125.
The Scottish Government's Warm Deal will insulate your home against the cold. The £500 grant package includes measures like cavity-wall insulation, loft, tank and pipe insulation, draught-proofing and energy advice. Please be aware though that it may take time for improvements to be made to your home.
Find out more about the Warm Deal
HEES Wales
If you're aged 60 or over, live in Wales and get certain disability or income-related benefits, you may be able to get a range of insualtion and heating measures worth up to £2,700. The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme also offers partial grants up to a maximum value of £375 to other households who are over 60. Please note however that the Scheme is not intended to be an emergency repair service.
Find out more about HEES Wales
The Assembly Government’s Keep Well This Winter also provides more information to older people in Wales about how to keep warm at home. Find out more about Keep Well This Winter