Nine million pensioners will receive the winter fuel payment from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), but there are five groups who will not receive help to heat their homes
Those born before 22 September 1959 and living in England or Wales may be eligible for financial aid from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help cover their winter heating bills – but they must meet five criteria.
Eligible individuals could receive between £100 and £300, following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision to reinstate the winter fuel payment for nine million pensioners.
Most will automatically receive the money if they qualify, but there have been changes to the system since previous years. Here are the five groups who will NOT receive a payment even if they fall within the correct age bracket of 66 years old and live in England or Wales.
You won’t be eligible for winter fuel payments if you:.
- Earn more than £35,000 a year
- Were hospitalised receiving free treatment for the entire week of 15 to 21 September 2025 (and the year prior).
- Were incarcerated for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025.
- Reside in a care home, receive certain benefits, and have lived there for the entire year from 23 June 2025 or earlier.
- Require permission to enter the UK and your granted leave prohibits you from claiming public funds.
If a state pensioner earns more than £35,000 for the tax year 2025/26, their payment will be reclaimed through a change in their tax code the following year. This typically happens automatically through the pay as you earn (PAYE) system.
For those who are self-employed or high-income earners, the money will be reclaimed when they file a self-assessment tax return. Alternatively, it’s possible to opt out of the payment instead of having it retrieved via these methods.
Some care home residents will receive the payment but if both of the following apply, you will not:
- You receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- You lived in a care home for the entire year from 23 June 2025 or earlier
Eligible individuals for the winter fuel payment will receive a letter in October or November informing them of the amount they will receive. The DWP states that most people will receive their payment in either November or December this year.
It’s crucial to be vigilant of scams related to the payment pretending to be from a government service. Never disclose personal details, such as bank account information or passwords. If something appears suspicious, report it here.
Pensioners living in Northern Ireland could be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment from the Northern Ireland Executive, with eligibility rules mirroring those of England and Wales. However, those in Scotland do not receive the winter fuel payment but may qualify for the pension age winter heating payment.
More information on the winter fuel payment can be found on the government website.
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