The maximum amount retirees can receive is £300 however, it all depends on their living circumstances and when they were born.
Check your Winter Fuel Payment allowance (Image: Getty)
Pensioners can check how much Winter Fuel Payment they will receive this year. The maximum amount retirees can receive is £300 however, it all depends on their living circumstances and when they were born.
The Department of Work and Pensions will send all eligible claimants a letter in October or November telling them how much Winter Fuel Payment they will receive. The amount will depend on their circumstances between 15 and 21 September 2025, which is called the “qualifying week”, and any fuel payments will not impact other benefits. Instead of waiting until the Autumn, you can check now how much you’re likely to receive.
If your income is higher than £35,000
HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either changing your tax code for the 2026 to 2027 tax year, or adding the amount to your 2025 to 2026 Self Assessment tax return.
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible
You’ll either receive £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959, or a maximum of £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945.
If you live with someone who is eligible
Your payment may be different if you receive other benefits and you live with someone else who’s eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.
This applies to those who receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support.
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. You will get a maximum of £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 receive either £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959, or £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945.
If you do not claim benefits
If you do not get any of the benefits mentioned above, 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.
You’ll also receive £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.
Those who were born before September 22, 1945, but live with someone who was born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959, will receive £200.
If both you and the person you live with were born before September 22, 1945, you’ll receive £150.
If you’re eligible and live in a care home
You’ll get either £100 if you were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959, or £150 if you were born before 22 September 1945.
If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, you can check if you need to make a claim on the Government website.
