Discover what it is, how to claim it – and lots of other helpful stuff.
The Winter Fuel Allowance is a tax-free payment of £100 to £300 from the government to help people who were born on or before 5 August 1953 pay for their heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
It’s different to Cold Weather Payments and the Warm Home Discount.
You need to claim Winter Fuel Payment if you’ve not had it before, and any of the following apply:
You also need to claim Winter Fuel Payment if you’ve deferred your State Pension, even if you had it before. You only need to do this once.
You can claim it for the first time from the Winter Fuel Payment helpline by calling 03459 15 15 15 or by filling out their form and posting it to:
Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1LR
Or, if you’re in another EEA country or Switzerland, use this form instead and post it to:
Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1ZU
UK
You won’t qualify if you:
You have until 31 March 2018 to claim for winter 2017 to 2018, according to Gov.uk.
Most payments are made automatically between November and December. You should get yours by 31 December.
If the money hasn’t been paid into your account by 15 January 2018, call the office that pays your benefits – their details are on any letters they sent you.
It was introduced by the Labour government in 1997.
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You’ll qualify for Winter Fuel Payment if:
You may be able to get the payment if you live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area (EEA) country and you have a genuine link with the UK.
It’s a tax-free payment of £100 to £300, and it won’t affect your other benefits.
How much you get will depend on your circumstances during the qualifying week (that’s 18 to 24 September 2017 for winter 2017 to 2018).
You may be able to get the payment if you live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area (EEA) country and you have a genuine link with the UK.
You can’t get the payment if you live in Cyprus, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Malta, Portugal or Spain because the average winter temperature is higher than the warmest region of the UK.
No, it’s not means-tested. In other words, the amount of income and capital you have will not affect your eligibility.
No. It’s only for people who were born on or before 5 August 1953. However, you might be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment.
No. It’s only for people who were born on or before 5 August 1953. However, you might be eligible for the Warm Home Discount.
If you have a disability, you can get the Winter Fuel Payment if you were were born on or before 5 August 1953.
Find out everything you need to know about Direct Debits – and every other way to pay.
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Find out ‘what’ to do and ‘where’ to get support when you can’t pay your bills.
Find out how to get one if your balance is too high.
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OVO Interest Reward is where we pay you interest on your credit balances.
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From what they are and how to apply, to everything else you need to know.
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See how we calculate your Direct Debit amount and why it might change over the course of your contract.
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Additional terms and conditions
Please see below for full terms and conditions on 33% renewable electricity, 3-5% interest rewards, exit fees and saving claims.
1Monthly cost - Representative monthly direct debit costs based on a non-economy-7, dual-fuel, medium user (3100 kWhs elec. and 12500 kWhs gas) paying in advance by direct debit, including online discount. All rates correct as of 20/3/2018, but may go up or down.
2Weekly cost - Representative weekly costs based on a non-economy-7, dual-fuel, medium user (3100 kWhs elec. and 12500 kWhs gas). All rates correct as of 22/11/2017, but may go up or down.
3Pay Monthly Savings claims: Saving based on the estimated annual cost of Simpler tariff for a non-economy-7, dual-fuel, medium user (3100 kWhs elec. and 12500 kWhs gas) paying monthly in advance by direct debit, including online discount. Comparisons made against the average of the Big 6 standard variable tariffs with equivalent features. All rates correct as of 20/3/2018.“The Big 6” are British Gas, Scottish Power, SSE, Npower, E.ON and EDF.
4Pay As You Go Savings are based on the average estimated annual costs for new PAYG OVO customers quoted through the OVO website (based on household and/or consumption information provided by those customers), compared to their current supplier and tariff. Comparisons taken between 01/01/2016 and 11/10/16. Incl VAT. Actual savings may vary according to your current supplier or tariff, individual tariff options, household information, consumption and location.
We include almost twice as much renewable electricity as the national average: At least 33% of electricity in all of our tariffs comes from renewable sources. The national average, according to Ofgem as at March 2014 was 16.7%. For more information please visit this page.
33% of your electricity comes from renewable sources: 33% renewable electricity as standard as of 1st April 2015. Renewable electricity is generated from wind, solar, geothermal, wave, tidal, hydro, biomass, landfill gas, sewage treatment plant gas and biogas.
OVO Interest Rewards: Interest Rewards are paid on credit balances of customers paying by monthly Direct Debit. It is calculated at 3% in your first year, 4% in your second year and 5% in your third year (and every year thereafter) if you pay by Direct Debit. Interest Rewards are paid monthly based on the number of days you’re in credit and the amount left in your account after you’ve paid your bill. Full terms apply: https://www.ovoenergy.com/terms
95% of new customers save when switching to OVO: Savings based on the average estimated annual costs for all new OVO customers quoted through the OVO website, compared to their current supplier and tariff. Comparisons taken between 01/05/2016 and 11/10/16. Incl VAT.
94% of surveyed customers would recommend us: OVO conducted a survey of their customers in between 1st January 2016 and 15th April 2016. Out of 15,312 customers who responded, over 94% rated OVO 6+ when asked 'how likely would you be to recommend us to a friend and family, on a scale of 1 to 10.
uSwitch's Energy Supplier of the Year 2017: OVO energy was voted and awarded 'Energy Supplier of the year' and best for: Overall Customer Satisfaction, Most Likely to be Recommended, Value for Money, Best Deal for You, Customer Service, Billing Services, Energy Efficiency, Meter Services, Online Services, Green Services and Transfer Process. OVO Energy scored a 96% customer satisfaction score.
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