Millions of pensioners are set to receive letters from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) outlining alterations to this year’s Winter Fuel Payment. The Winter Fuel Payments, which can reach up to £300 for qualifying households, will need to be repaid if your income exceeds £35,000.
This earnings threshold applies on an individual basis. For instance, if you earn more than £35,000 annually but your partner earns less, they would still be entitled to their Winter Fuel Payment.
Winter Fuel Payments will be distributed to all state pensioner households, irrespective of income. Nevertheless, those with earnings above £35,000 will have the payment recovered through the taxation system.
This typically involves modifying your tax code via the PAYE system or, if you normally complete a self-assessment tax return, it will be recovered in this manner, according to the Mirror.
The Government has previously given assurances that no one will need to register for self-assessment unless they already utilise this service. As an alternative, anyone surpassing the income threshold can opt not to receive the Winter Fuel Payment altogether.
From this month onwards, the DWP is dispatching letters to all pensioner households to clarify the modifications. The DWP confirmed: « You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible.
« If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim. Any money you get will not affect your other benefits. »
Winter Fuel Payments will be made in November and December to pensioners born before 22 September 1959. The amount you’re eligible for is dependent on your individual circumstances, such as your age and whether you’re receiving any benefits during the qualifying week.
The qualifying week varies each year; for this winter, it was from 15 to 21 September 2025. To be eligible for the full maximum Winter Fuel Payment of £300, you needed to be 80 years old or above during the qualifying period.
Other pensioner households could be entitled to payments of £200, £150 or £100. If you are claiming one of these benefits during the qualifying week, your Winter Fuel Payment will be processed automatically.
The list of benefits that qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment are:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- State Pension
- Incapacity Benefit
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Industrial Death Benefit
- Awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Carer’s Allowance
If you do not claim any of these benefits, you will need to apply for your Winter Fuel Payment if either of the following conditions apply:
Labour estimates that approximately nine million pensioners will receive Winter Fuel Payments this year. In Scotland, the Winter Fuel Payment has been replaced with the new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
