These payments shouldn't be confused with the Cold Weather Payment which you only get when it gets really really cold.

For people over 60

Winter fuel payments are paid out to all people in receipt of state retirement pension and that means people over 60.

To qualify you have to be 60 by 22 September.

You have to apply by 20 September to get your payment before Christmas.

�200 payment

You should receive �200 plus any missed payments from previous years.

Otherwise you have up to 30th March to get your application in and get your payment before the end of the financial year.

Fill in a form

It's men in particular that all this advertising is aimed at. You get this automatically when you reach the state retirement age - 65 for men and 60 for women.

But you are entitled to this payment as soon as you reach 60 - so it's men that may find they have been missed out and will have to fill in a form.

There is a Winter Fuel Helpline - 08459 15 15 15 and lots of advertising in the press which include coupons that you send off. You can also go to your local Social Security office.