The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed more than nine million people will receive between 100 and 300 to help cover the cost of higher heating bills this winter
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently confirmed that over nine million individuals born before 22 September 1959 will receive between £100 and £300 to help cover the cost of higher heating bills this winter.
Winter Fuel Payments of £100 will be issued to eligible residents in care homes, while those aged between 66 and 79 will get £200, and pensioners aged 80 and over will receive the maximum amount of £300.
Most eligible pensioners will automatically receive Winter Fuel Payments over November and December. According to guidance on GOV.UK, letters will be sent out in October and November to inform pensioners in England and Wales about the amount they can expect to receive.
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It’s crucial for older people in Scotland to know that they will not receive a Winter Fuel Payment as this has now been replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
This follows similar eligibility criteria to the DWP, but will be automatically issued by Social Security Scotland from the end of November. It’s important to note that the qualifying week for both payments ended on Sunday 21 September, reports the Daily Record.
Eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments
You can receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 22 September 1959 and live in England or Wales.
When you will not be eligible
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
If you live in a care home
You can receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home, 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 whole time from June 23, 2025 or earlier
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Payments
The DWP has issued guidance stating: “You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible. If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.”
It’s crucial to be vigilant as scammers may attempt to deceive you into making a claim via text, urging you to click on a link. This is not an official DWP message and should be disregarded. If you believe you need to claim, follow the instructions on GOV.UK here.
The amount you receive depends on your birth date and circumstances between 15 to 21 September 2025 (qualifying week). Any money received will not impact your other benefits.
If you live alone or no one you live with qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment, you will receive 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 qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment, your payment may vary if you receive 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 don’t receive any of the benefits, you will receive 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 receive 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
The money will be deposited into the bank account where your benefits are usually paid.
If you receive any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim), you will receive 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 your income exceeds £35,000:
HMRC will reclaim all of your Winter Fuel Payment through either PAYE or your Self Assessment tax return.
If you reside in a care home and are eligible, you’ll receive either:
- £100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £150 if you were born before September 22, 1945
When you will get paid:
DWP said most payments will be made automatically in November or December.
You should get a letter telling you:
- how much you’ll receive
- which bank account it will be paid into (this is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits)
DWP added: “If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.”
Full details on what you will need before contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre can be found on GOV.UK here.
A full list of payments for pensioners in Scotland can be found on MYGOV.SCOT.