The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that over nine million people born before September 22, 1959, will receive between £100 and £300 in Winter Fuel Payments
While millions of households can expect to begin receiving the Winter Fuel Payment soon, there are many who won’t be eligible for it. Data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) states that over nine million people born before September 22, 1959, will receive between £100 and £300.
Those eligible and residing in care homes will receive Winter Fuel Payments of £100, while those aged between 66 and 79 will get £200, and pensioners aged 80 and above will receive the maximum amount of £300. Most eligible pensioners will automatically receive their Winter Fuel Payments during 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.
Keep in mind that the qualifying week that determines who will be eligible for the payment ended on Sunday, 21 September. If you find that you’re not eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, there may still be other forms of support through additional benefits or schemes from your energy supplier.
Eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments
You can receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959 and live in England or Wales. The government explained: “The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 15 and 21, 2025. This is called the ‘qualifying week’.”
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment if you:
- Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- Live outside England and Wales
- Were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025
- Were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year before that
When you will get paid
Most people will automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment if they qualify, but anyone who does not receive it but believes they should can check whether they can submit a claim. The deadline to apply for winter 2025 to 2026 is March 31, 2026.
The DWP said: “Pensioners above the £35,000 threshold will have the full amount of the Winter Fuel Payment they received automatically collected via PAYE, or via their Self-Assessment return.
“No one will need to register with HMRC for this or take any further action. Pensioners who want to opt out and not receive the payment at all, will be able to do so, with details to be confirmed.”
Full details on the eligiblity criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment can be found on GOV.UK here.