The DWP Winter Fuel Payment aims to help cover some of the high energy costs people are having to pay to stay warm
As temperatures begin to fall, many will be contemplating switching their heating back on. However, with energy costs remaining high this prospect can cause anxiety for those on limited incomes. The DWP Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help offset some of these expenses.
It provides those born before September 22, 1959 with up to £300 to help tackle the increased bills they will encounter to stay warm over the colder months. Last year, the Labour administration dramatically reduced the number of pensioners eligible for this support, reports Chronicle Live.
The bills have increased over recent years (Image: Marina113 via Getty Images)
Many people missed out in 2024 (Image: Halfpoint Images via Getty Images)
By restricting it solely to those receiving specific means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit, only 1.5 million individuals qualified. Pensioners’ groups and other campaigners fought the decision, with organisations like Age UK arguing it was penalising some of the most vulnerable people.
Following the enormous public outcry regarding this change, the government confirmed it would restore eligibility for pensioners earning up to £35,000, making it accessible to nine million people. Yet some people with earnings below this threshold will remain ineligible. Meanwhile, those with incomes exceeding £35,000 will continue to receive the payment and must repay it, unless they choose to decline the funds.
Who will receive Winter Fuel Payment
The DWP states: “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.”
Residents of Northern Ireland may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment from the Northern Ireland Executive, with eligibility rules mirroring those in England and Wales. However, if you live in Scotland, you cannot receive a Winter Fuel Payment, but you might qualify for a Pension Age Winter Heating payment.
If you live in a care home, you are entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment, unless certain conditions apply. 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
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 does not qualify
You will not qualify 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
What if my income is over £35,000
If your income is more than £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?
If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November. This will set out how much you will get.
If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, 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
The money will be paid later this year (Image: Getty)
How much will I get?
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’.
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 money you get will not affect any of your other benefits if you get them.
When will I be paid?
Most people who are eligible 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 Centre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1LR
To claim by phone
Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to claim by phone:
- Telephone: 0800 731 0160
- Textphone: contact Relay UK on 18001 then 0800 731 0160
- British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. You might be charged for the call. Find out about call charges.
