I noticed a reference to this in an old (closed) thread which I happened on by chance!
Seems there are some strange rules concerning this allowance (if it is the same one as the yearly "Christmas present" from DSS?).

I just want to mention that I left the UK in 1970 at the age of 32 to work and live in Switzerland, then moved to france to live and work in 1994.
I retired from that work in 2003 and receive a small DSS pension quarterly, together with my Swiss monthly and French quarterly pensions.

The point is that the DSS has been faithfully sending me this heating allowance every year in December since 2003, even though I never asked for it nor was informed of it when I originally applied for the pension in November 2002, well in advance. There was no question of special rules applying - but anyway as it is very small (last one translated into 11.93 euros) it's hardly important. Do I really qualify for this allowance?? No idea really, it just arrives as a separate transfer every December on my bank account.

You currently qualify for it if your over 60 which you are . But they is some discussion on the floor with regards to removing the payment for Expats because most of them are in warmer climates. Its banded I believe so soon you will get the top wack.

You are only entitled to this payment if you applied for it whilst living in the UK in the September after your 60th birthday.
This can then be transferred to Europe, it was 200 squid but don´t know how much now.

I had to nag DSS last year and received the payment in February this year. I was 60 and resident in UK on the first payment, but perhaps DSS is trying it on, so you have to request payment.

I await payment this year with interest!.

Very likely. ;-))

Our friends here have just been stung by the DSS back home. They had not informed the authorities that they had left the UK for Canada and have to pay every penny back.

Seems that the same rules apply as for those of the State pension.

Claiming Winter Fuel Payment and moving abroad
If you live abroad, you may be able to continue receiving Winter Fuel Payments if both the following apply:
you qualified for a Winter Fuel Payment when you lived in the UK
you then moved to another European Economic Area (EEA) country or to Switzerland
If you live in another EEA country or Switzerland, you cannot receive a Winter Fuel Payment if any of the following apply:
you are under 60
you did not qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment before leaving the UK
you permanently left the UK before 5 January 1998
you normally live outside the EEA or Switzerland
you normally live in the UK (but you can still receive payments as a UK resident)
you are in custody under sentence during the qualifying week (21 to 27 September 2009)
Find out more about the following subjects:
Claiming benefits in Europe
If you live in the EEA or Switzerland and you need to contact someone about Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Team at the International Pension Centre is responsible for making Winter Fuel Payments to people who live outside the UK.
Address all correspondence to the Winter Fuel Team.
International Pension Centre

Here's the link:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensions...ment/DG_179768