The winter fuel allowance is one of the tax free payments that comes out once a year and is available to residents who need help paying their heating costs during the winter months. However, the only people who are eligible for this allowance are those who were born before or on July 5th 1951. The amount of the allowance can range anywhere from 100 to 300 depending on the circumstances. Some people are under the assumption that these payments are the same as cold weather payments yet this happens to be a myth.
Who Qualifies For This?
Obviously, there are going to be certain criteria’s that have to be met before one can even be considered for this option. Aside from the birth date requirement you are also going to have to be a resident of Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Furthermore, there are other factors that determine eligibility as well. You are going to qualify if you received free hospital treatment for more than fifty two weeks, you were serving a court sentence, you were denied help from the Department of Work and Pensions, or you were a resident in a care home or independent hospital.
What about Couples?
If you have a partner who is already receiving Job Seekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or the Pension Credit only one payment will be made to the household. However, if you just share your home with a roommate that qualifies for the allowance as well two separate payments will be made – one to each of you.
How Do I Go About Receiving It?
If you are someone who does not receive one of the following you are going to have to file for your claim. However, if you do receive one of these things it will be paid to you automatically – State Pension, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Bereavement Benefit, Carter’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Graduated Retirement Benefit, Incapacity Benefit, Industrial Injuries Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, War Pension, or Widows Benefit. Not to mention the fact that if you have applied and received the allowance before in the past you are still going to be responsible for filing again.
Applying
Applying is something that is considered to be a very easy task. It involves you going to the Direct Gov website and downloading the application. If you do not have access to a computer you can always give them a call and they will mail out an application to you. Once received, you will then be able to return it back to the office via snail mail.
Do Benefits Need To Be Paid Back
Many people wonder whether or not they are going to be responsible for paying back the money over time that is given to them for their bill. The good news is you are not going to have to worry about paying back the money. So, that is one less thing for you to have to worry about.
Would you like to save money on your utility bills? Find more about Winter Fuel Allowances:http://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/guides/winter-fuel-payment/