Six groups of pensioners will not qualify for the winter fuel paymentThe Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed the groups of state pensioners who will not be eligible for the £300 Winter Fuel Allowance. Six categories of people will not qualify.
These include those living outside England and Wales, OR If you were receiving free treatment in a hospital for the entire week of September 15-21, 2025, and for the entire year before that, you are not eligible. If you need permission to enter the UK, and your visa or leave to remain states you cannot claim public funds.
Ineligibility also extends to those who were in prison during the week of 15 to 21 September 2025.
Those who have been living in a care home since 23 June 2025 or earlier, will not qualify.
If you live in a care home and receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), you will also not get the payment.
This news comes as Ofgem confirms another increase in energy bills, although there are methods to reduce these costs.
Assistance is available for those finding it difficult to pay their gas and electricity bills.
The Ofgem energy price cap is set to rise from £1,720 a year to £1,755 for the average dual fuel household paying by direct debit from October, reports Birmingham Live.
DWP’s Winter Fuel Payments are cash payments worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.
The payments are typically sent to pensioners born before 22 September 1959, starting from November.
Even if your income exceeds £35,000, you’ll still receive the payment, but it will be recouped through the tax system.
You have the option to decline the payment entirely.
The income limit is calculated per individual.
For instance, if you earn £30,000 annually and your partner earns £40,000, one of you would retain their portion of the Winter Fuel Payment while the other would repay it.