The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that all individuals born before a specific date will be eligible for the winter fuel payment this year.

The Gov.uk website has been updated preliminary details following Chancellor Rachel Reeves‘ announcement earlier this week that nine million people who lost the £200-300 benefit last winter will receive it this year.

Those earning over £35,000 will also receive the payment, but it will subsequently be reclaimed through the tax system. Sir Keir Starmer has maintained that the decision to restore most winter fuel payments was not a reaction to political backlash against the policy.

Following the announcement, the DWP has updated its information and for the first time revealed who will be eligible for the payment.

DWP officials stated that only those born before a certain date would receive the money. They said: “The Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 to 2026 will be made to everyone in England and Wales born before 22 September 1959, unless you choose not to get it. You could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter.

“You do not need to do anything – payments will be made automatically.”

Officials confirmed that everyone will receive the money, but cautioned those earning above a certain threshold that it would be recouped through HMRC, although they did not provide specifics on how this would occur.

The statement read: ” If your income is over £35,000, your Winter Fuel Payment will be recovered later through HMRC. Details of the 2025 to 2026 payment will be available by the end of June 2025.”

Warnings were issued this week that the ‘fiscal drag’ caused by the £35,000 earnings limit will result in hundreds of thousands of individuals losing their winter fuel payment during this parliament. This is due to Ms Reeves confirming that the £35,000 limit will not increase with inflation, leading to an estimated additional 500,000 people being affected before the end of this parliament.

BBC Moneybox expert Paul Lewis stated: “The £35,000 income limit for retaining the winter fuel payment will be frozen, Ministers confirm, resulting in more pensioners repaying the money year by year. It will join frozen bereavement payments, capital limits, child benefit limits, and tax thresholds.”

The Prime Minister highlighted recent growth figures and declining interest rates as evidence that “the economy has stabilised”.

Ms Reeves admitted that working individuals were not experiencing signs of progress as she attempted to shift focus from the winter fuel controversy by asserting her spending review tomorrow would stimulate growth.

“This government is aiming for growth because that is the best way to create jobs, increase wages, lift people out of poverty and sustainably fund our schools and our hospitals and all the public services we rely on,” she addressed the GMB Union Congress conference.

While acknowledging the government’s efforts, Ms Reeves commented: “I know that not enough working people are yet feeling that progress, and that’s what tomorrow’s spending review is all about – making working people better off, investing in our security, investing in our health, investing in our economy.”

Today, Rachel Reeves did not dismiss the possibility of further tax hikes come autumn, following reports that the economy contracted more than anticipated in April.

The Chancellor has consistently maintained that the cost of Wednesday’s spending review has been offset by last year’s tax increases, emphasising that departments must now “live within their means”.

However, with a faltering economy and new obligations such as partially reversing cuts to winter fuel payments, experts caution that taxes may rise again in the autumn.

When questioned on Thursday if she could assure there would be no additional tax increases, Ms Reeves told LBC: “I think it would be very risky for a Chancellor to try and write future budgets in a world as uncertain as ours.”

Yet, she reiterated her commitment to avoiding tax rises on the scale of last year’s £40 billion hike.