The DWP will issue Winter Fuel Payments automatically to eligible pensioners in England and Wales during November or December
Pensioners earning £35,000 or less will qualify for this one-off payment(Image: coldsnowstorm via Getty Images)
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently announced that 9 million people born prior to September 22, 1959 will receive between £100 and £300 to assist with increased heating costs throughout the winter period. Winter Fuel Payments will be distributed automatically to qualifying pensioners across England and Wales during November or December.
Pensioners earning £35,000 or less will qualify for this one-off payment, with recipients having the option to decline or repay it via the PAYE system or Self Assessment tax return. Treasury Minister James Murray provided a recent update regarding the recovery arrangements following a query from Independent MP John McDonnell about the retrieval process for Winter Fuel Payments distributed to higher earners, reports the Daily Record.
In his written reply, Mr Murray said: “The Government announced in June 2025 that the Winter Fuel Payment will be made universal in England and Wales from winter 2025. Subsequently, the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive have confirmed that they will mirror the approach for England and Wales. Winter Fuel Payments of £200 will be made for a household with someone of State Pension age and £300 for a household with someone aged 80 or over. They will be paid automatically to anyone who has not opted out of getting a payment.”
Pensioners across the UK will receive one-off payments this winter to help with higher heating costs.(Image: Getty Images )
Speaking about the income threshold, he said: “People who are of State Pension age and have total income over £35,000 will have their Winter Fuel Payment recovered through the tax system. The amount recovered will be equal to the full value of the Winter Fuel Payment. If a pensioner’s total income is above the income threshold, it will be automatically recovered through PAYE, or through their Self-Assessment return if they pay tax that way.”
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Mr Murray continued: “The Government will publish further details of the operational impacts on HM Revenue and Customs of making these changes in a Tax Information and Impact Note at Budget 2025, alongside draft Finance Bill legislation on the tax recovery of the Winter Fuel Payment.”
Declining Winter Fuel Payment
You can decide to decline receiving all future Winter Fuel Payments. To decline Winter Fuel payments, you need to either:
- complete the opt out form on or before September 14, 2025
- call the helpline before 6pm on 12 September 2025
Complete details on declining can be found on GOV.UK.
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You can receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959 and reside in England or Wales. Details on Pension Age Disability Payment can be fond here.
When you will not qualify
You will not qualify 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
READ MORE: Additional DWP payment people on Universal Credit could receiveIf youlive in a care home
You can receive Winter Fuel Payment if you reside in a care home, however, you will not qualify 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 says: “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.”
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It’s crucial to recognise that fraudsters may attempt to deceive you into submitting a claim via text message, encouraging you to click on a link. This is not a genuine DWP communication and should be removed. If you believe you need to apply, follow the guidance on GOV.UK here.
The sum you receive depends on your date of birth and your situation between 15 to 21 September 2025. This is known as the ‘qualifying week’. Any funds you receive will not impact your other benefits.
If you live by yourself or nobody you live with qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment
You will receive either:
- £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
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Your payment may vary if you receive 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 receive any of the benefits
You will receive 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, 1959 but the person you live with was born before September 22, 1945
- £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
- £150 if you and the person you live with were born before September 22, 1945
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One of you will receive 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 funds will be transferred into the bank account where your benefits are normally deposited.
If you receive any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim)
You will receive 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
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HMRC will recover your entire Winter Fuel Payment through either PAYE or your Self Assessment tax return.
If you reside 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
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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.”