DWP confirms Winter Fuel Payment dates and amounts due for every pensioner household

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that around 9 million people born before 22 September 1959 will receive between £100 and £300 this winter to help with increased heating costs during the colder months. These Winter Fuel Payments will be paid automatically to eligible pensioners in November or December.

According to updated guidance on GOV.UK, letters informing pensioners of how much they will get will be sent out in October and November. Eligibility for the payment depends on age and household circumstances during the qualifying week, which runs from 15 to 21 September 2025.

For residents in Scotland, it’s important to note that the Winter Fuel Payment has been replaced with the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. This has similar eligibility rules but is administered by Social Security Scotland and will be paid automatically on 30 November.

Eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments

You can qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 22 September 1959 and live in England or Wales.

When you are not eligible:

• If you live outside England and Wales.

• If you were in hospital receiving free treatment throughout the qualifying week (15–21 September 2025) and also the year before.

• If your immigration status restricts you from claiming public funds.

• If you were in prison for the entire qualifying week.

If you live in a care home

You may still qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home.
However, you will not qualify if:

• You receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

• You have been living in a care home since 23 June 2025 or earlier.

How payments are made

According to the DWP:

• A letter will be sent in October or November confirming how much you’ll receive if you’re eligible.

• If you don’t get a letter but believe you qualify, you should check whether you need to make a claim.

• Be cautious of scams — the DWP will not ask you to click links in a text message. Only use the official guidance on GOV.UK if you think you need to claim.

Your payment is based on your age and circumstances during the qualifying week (15–21 September 2025). Any money you receive does not affect your other benefits.

How much you’ll get

If you live alone or no one else you live with is eligible:

• £200 if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959.

• £300 if you were born before 22 September 1945.

If you live with someone else who is eligible:

If neither of you gets benefits:

• £100 if both were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959.

• £100 if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959, but the person you live with was born before 22 September 1945.

• £200 if you were born before 22 September 1945, and the person you live with was born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959.

• £150 if both of you were born before 22 September 1945.

If you and your partner jointly claim benefits:

• £200 if both of you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959.

• £300 if one or both of you were born before 22 September 1945.

This payment will be deposited into the bank account where your benefits are normally paid.

If you get benefits (but not as part of a joint claim):

• £200 if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959.

• £300 if you were born before 22 September 1945.

your income is above £35,000

If your annual income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will recover the Winter Fuel Payment through PAYE or your Self Assessment tax return.

If you live in a care home

If eligible, you’ll receive:

• £100 if born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959.

• £150 if born before 22 September 1945.

When you will be paid

Most payments are made automatically during November or December.
You should get a letter detailing:

• The amount you’ll receive.

• Which bank account it will be paid into (usually the same one as your State Pension or benefits).

If you don’t receive a letter or the payment hasn’t arrived by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

Opting out of Winter Fuel Payments

If you don’t want to receive the Winter Fuel Payment in future years, you can opt out by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 15 September 2025.

Full details of what you’ll need to provide when contacting the centre can be found on GOV.UK.