Following a U-turn by the Labour government millions more people will qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment but millions more will still miss out
Falling temperatures mean many people are thinking about putting the heating up a notch or two. Steep energy costs mean it can seem unaffordable to those on lower incomes.
However, help is available through the DWP Winter Fuel Payment. This aims to help cover some of the cost, giving people born before September 22, 1959, up to £300 to help keep homes warm.
Last year the Labour government made a massive change in who was eligible for the benefit, cutting millions off the number of pensioners who were eligible for the money. It stopped the benefit from being given to all pensioners and instead paid only those on certain means tested benefits such as Pension Credit.
That change meant just 1.5 million people were eligible. However the move led to an outcry from pensioners’ organisations and other campaigners. Many, such as Age UK, warned the move had hit some of the poorest people.
The backlash over the move had seen the government announce it would reinstate it for pensioners with incomes up to £35,000 in 2025, increasing the number of people eligible to nine million. But some people will still not qualify – even if their income falls below this level. And while those with incomes above £35,000 will still receive it they will have to pay it back, unless they opt out from receiving the money in the first place.
These include if you were in hospital or a care home for a specific week in September. People who live outside England or Wales will also be excluded.
Who will now get Winter Fuel Payment
The DWP says: “If you were born before September 22, 1959, you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment.”
People living in Northern Ireland might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment from the Northern Ireland Executive. Eligibility rules will be the same as for England and Wales.
Those living in Scotland cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment. However they might be eligible for Pension Age Winter Heating payment.
If you live in a care home you can get Winter Fuel Payment. However you will not be eligible if both of the following apply:
- you get 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 June 23, 2025, or earlier
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible. You do not need to claim if you get any of the following:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Income Support
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit
Who will not qualify
You will not be eligible if you:
- live outside England and Wales
- were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of September 15 to 21, 2025, and the year before that
- need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- were in prison for the whole of the week of September 15 to 21, 2025
- People with an annual income of over £35,000
What if my income is over £35,000
If your income is over £35,000, HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back. You can check if your income is over the threshold and how HMRC will take it back. You can opt out of getting the Winter Fuel Payment if you do not want to receive it. HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either:
- changing your tax code for the 2026 to 2027 tax year
- adding the amount to your 2025 to 2026 Self Assessment tax return
You can check if your income is over the threshold and how HMRC will take it back.
When will I know if I am getting it?
Anyone who qualifies will get a letter in October or November. This will explain how much you will get.
If you do not get a letter but think you should qualify, you should check if you need to make a claim. You will need to claim if you do not get one of the qualifying benefits listed above and:
- you’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment before
- you’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment
How much will I get?
The amount you get is based on your birth date and circumstances between September 15 and 21, 2025. This is called the ‘qualifying week’.
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment you will get either:
- £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959
- £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
- If you live with someone else who’s eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
Your payment may be different if you get one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
If you do not get any of the benefits
You’ll get a payment of:
- £100 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959
- £100 if you were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959, but the person you live with was born before September 22, 1945
- £200 if you were born before September 22, 1945, but the person you live with was born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959
- £150 if you and the person you live with were born before September 22, 1945
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits
One of you will get a payment of either:
- £200 if both of you were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959
- £300 if one or both of you were born before September 22, 1945
If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim)
You’ll get a payment of either:
- £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
If you live in a care home if you’re eligible you’ll get either:
- £100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £150 if you were born before September 22, 1945
Will it affect my benefits?
Any payment, no matter the amount, will not affect your other benefits.
When will I be paid?
Most people who qualify will be paid in November or December 2025.
How to claim
Most people will get the payment automatically however if you need to claim you can do this by:
- post – from September 15, 2025
- phone – from October 13, 2025
The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2025 to 2026 is March 31, 2026.
To claim by post
Fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form and send it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
Winter Fuel Payment CentreMail Handling Site AWolverhamptonWV98 1LR
To claim by phone
Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to claim by phone:
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pmYou might be charged for the call. Find out about call charges.