Millions of pensioners will receive Winter Fuel Payments at the end of November
Winter Fuel Payments are set to assist a multitude of pensioners across the UK with their heating bills this year. The majority of eligible individuals will receive the money automatically.
Those born before September 22, 1959 could be entitled to between £100 and £300 to help cover their heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. However, if your income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will reclaim your Winter Fuel Payment.
Eligible recipients will receive a letter in October or November detailing the amount they’ll receive. Yet, it’s important to note that not all pensioners qualify for the payment. This reminder follows a significant scam warning regarding Winter Fuel Payments, with the DWP urging older people to be vigilant of fraudulent text messages So, who is eligible for the cash and who isn’t?
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The Government stipulates that you can receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 22 September 1959 and reside in England or Wales, reports Chronicle Live. However, there are specific circumstances when you will not qualify. These are detailed below. More information can be found here.
Circumstances where you will not be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment
You will not qualify if you:
- live outside England and Wales
- were in hospital receiving 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 reside in a care home
You can receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home. However, you will not qualify 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
The amount you’ll receive
The amount you receive is determined by your birth date and circumstances between 15 and 21 September 2025, known as the ‘qualifying week’. The money received will not impact your other benefits.
If you live alone or no one else in your household qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment, you’ll 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 another person who’s eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
Your payment may vary if you’re receiving any of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
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If you don’t receive any of the benefits, you’ll 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
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 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