Millions of retirees will soon be notified about their eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment for the upcoming year. The payment ranges from £100 to £300 and is being distributed to pensioners born before September 22, 1959.
Individuals earning more than £35,000 will need to repay the Winter Fuel Payment through the tax system unless they choose to opt out. Eligibility for the payment is determined on a per-person basis, so in a couple, one person may qualify while the other may not.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be sending out confirmation letters in October and November to households entitled to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
The qualifying week for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment is from September 15 to 21, 2025, with eligibility criteria varying based on age and household circumstances. In the past, the payment was universally available to all state pensioners, but recent changes have restricted eligibility to those claiming means-tested benefits or meeting the new income threshold of £35,000.
Most eligible individuals will automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment without needing to make a claim, provided they are receiving certain benefits. Those not receiving these benefits will need to apply by post starting September 15 or by phone from October 15.
Certain circumstances, such as being hospitalized or in prison during the qualifying week, may affect eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment. Additionally, living in a care home and claiming specific benefits like Universal Credit and Pension Credit can impact eligibility.
In Scotland, the Winter Fuel Payment has been replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment for eligible residents.
To improve site experience and show personalized advertising, information collected through cookies and other identifiers may be used by Reach and its partners. Users can opt out of data sharing by clicking the appropriate button on the webpage. By using the website and services, users agree to the use of cookies as described in the Privacy Notice and Cookie Policy.