Dates for Winter Fuel Payment announced
The deadline for Winter Fuel Payment applications for winter 2013/2014 will be 31 March 2014.
For winter 2013/14, the payment will apply to those people who were born on or before 5 January 1952 who normally live in the UK throughout the week of 16 to 22 September.
Those who are eligible could get between £100 and £300 tax-free to help pay their heating bills. Most people should receive their money by Christmas but if someone qualifies but does not get paid automatically, they will need to make
a claim.
The Winter Fuel Payment does not affect other benefits.
Those who are eligible for the allowance can also claim for past winters; 1997 to 1998, 1998 to 1999 and 1999 to 2000.
Claims cannot be backdated for winters after 2000. The application deadline for backdated claims is also 31 March 2014.
People can find out more and check if they are eligble by visiting
GOV.UK Winter Fuel Payment.
If the temperatures drops this winter people claiming certain benefits could also get a Cold Weather Payment of £25. Payments will be made if the local temperature is either recorded as, or forecast to be, an average of zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days between
1 November 2013 and 31 March 2014.
People can find out more or check their eligibility for the allowance at GOV.UK Cold