More than nine million people in the UK could be better off this winter after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed it will be issuing payments to cover higher heating bills. The DWP said people born before September 22, 1959, will receive between £100 and £300 to help tackle energy costs.
Winter Fuel Payments of £100 will be issued to eligible people resident in care homes. Those aged between 66 and 79 will get £200, and pensioners aged 80 and over will receive the maximum amount of £300.
Winter Fuel Payments will be issued automatically to most eligible pensioners over November and December. Guidance on GOV.UK also states that letters will be issued in October and November informing pensioners in England and Wales on the amount they can expect to receive.
Older people in Scotland will not receive a Winter Fuel Payment as this has now been replaced by Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. This follows similar eligibility criteria to DWP, but will be issued automatically by Social Security Scotland from the end of November. Qualifying week for both payments ended on Sunday September 21.
Eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959, and live in England or Wales.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
- live outside England and Wales
- were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September, 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 15 to 21 September, 2025
If you live in a care home
You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home, 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 23 June 2025 or earlier
Payments
DWP guidance explains: “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.”
It’s important to be aware that scammers may try and trick you into making a claim by text, prompting you to click on a link. This is not an official DWP message and should be deleted. If you think you need to claim, follow the guidance on GOV.UK here.
The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 15 to 21 September 2025 (qualifying week). Any money you get will not affect your other benefits.
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 is 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 will 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, 195,9 but the person you live with was born before September 22, 1945
- £200 if you were born before September 22, 194,5 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
- The money will be paid into the bank accountthat your benefits are usually paid into.
If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim)
You will 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 your income is more than £35,000
HMRC will take back all of your Winter Fuel Payment through either PAYE or your Self Assessment tax return.
If you live in a care home
If you are 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
When you will get paid
DWP said most payments will be made automatically in November or December.
You should get a letter telling you:
- how much you’ll get
- which bank account it will be paid into – this is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits
DWP added: “If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.”
Full details on what you will need before contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre can be found on GOV.UK here.
A full list of payments for pensioners in Scotland can be found on MYGOV.SCOT.
