By Linda Howard
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that nearly nine million people born before September 22, 1959 are eligible to receive a one-off payment of between 拢100 and 拢300. The payment aims to help with the increased cost of heating during the winter months.
Eligible pensioners can expect to receive their Winter Fuel Payment automatically in November or December, reports the Daily Record.
According to the updated guidance available on GOV.UK, the DWP will issue letters in October and November to inform pensioners about the amount they will receive. To qualify for the payment, which is determined by the recipient’s age and household circumstances, the claimant must have been eligible between September 15-21.
Older residents in Scotland will not receive the Winter Fuel Payment, as it has been replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. The eligibility criteria for this payment are similar to those set by the DWP. It will be issued automatically by Social Security Scotland on November 30.
Eligibility criteria for Winter Fuel Payments
To be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, you must have been born before September 22, 1959 and live in England or Wales.
When you are not 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 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.
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鈥檚 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.
Payment details
The DWP guidance states: “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 crucial to be aware that fraudsters may attempt to deceive you into making a claim via text, urging you to click on a link. This is not an official DWP message and should be disregarded.
If you believe you need to make a claim, follow the guidance on GOV.UK.
The amount you receive depends on your birth date and circumstances between September 15 to 21, 2025, known as the ‘qualifying week’. Any funds received will not impact your other benefits.
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment:
You will get either:
拢200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959; 拢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鈥檚 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:
拢100 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959; 拢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; 拢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; 拢150 if you and the person you live with were born before September 22, 1945.
If you and your partner jointly claim any benefits
One of you will get a payment of either:
拢200 if both of you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959; 拢300 if one or both of you were born before September 22, 1945.
The money will be paid into the bank account 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:
拢200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959; 拢300 if you were born before September 22, 1945.
If your income is more than 拢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鈥檒l get either:
拢100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959; 拢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 saying:
how much you鈥檒l get; which bank account it will be paid into – this is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits.
DWP added: 鈥淚f 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.鈥
Opting out of Winter Fuel Payment
For those considering opting out of the Winter Fuel Payment, you must inform the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before September 15, 2025.
Comprehensive information on what is required prior to contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre is available on GOV.UK.