You may get a Winter Fuel Payment  for the winter 2008/09 if the following apply:

1. you're aged 60 or over during 15 to 21 September 2008
2. you normally live in the United Kingdom

How much do you get?

This varies according to personal circumstances shown in the table:

Circumstances	Aged 60 to 79 on or before 21 September 2008	Aged 80 or over on or before 21 September 2008
You live alone or are the only person in the household who qualifies	£200	£300
You get Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance	£200	£300
You live with another qualifying individual	£100	£200 if you're the only person in the household who's aged 80 or over £150 if you and at least one other person are aged 80 or over
If your partner or civil partner gets Pension Credit or income-based  Jobseeker's Allowance for you both	The payment will be made to the person who gets Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance	The payment will be made to the person who gets Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
You live in a care home and don't get Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance	£100	£150
You live in a care home and get Pension credit or income-based  Jobseeker's Allowance	You don't qualify for Winter Fuel Payment	You don't qualify for Winter fuel payment

Couples both aged 60 or over who qualify and who are receiving Pension Credit or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance will get one payment made to the person receiving that benefit, the other person is not entitled to the payment.

Additional payment for winter 2008/09

There will be an additional payment for winter 2008/09 of £50 for households with someone aged 60 to 79 and £100 for households with someone aged 80 or over. This will be paid alongside the Winter Fuel Payment.

How it's paid

If you're getting State Pension or another benefit (apart from Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit) you will receive your Winter Fuel Payment in the same way that you usually receive your State Pension or benefit.

If you're not getting a State Pension or another benefit (apart from Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit) your Winter Fuel Payment will be paid by the method of payment you indicate on your claim form.

Timing of payments

If you claim on or before 19 September 2008 you should get your payment during November or December.

If you apply after this date, you may not get payment until after Christmas.

Check out 2008 Budget rates

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