Some are entitled of payments of up to £300
08:31, 01 Sep 2025Updated 15:31, 01 Sep 2025
Some pensioners are not eligible for the winter fuel payment(Image: Halfpoint Images via Getty Images)
Winter Fuel Payments are set to assist numerous pensioners across the UK with their heating bills this year. The majority of eligible individuals will receive the money automatically.
Those born before 22 September 1959 could be entitled to between £100 and £300 to help cover their heating costs for winter 2025 to 2026. However, if your income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will reclaim your Winter Fuel Payment.
Eligible recipients will receive a letter in October or November detailing the amount they’ll receive. Yet, it’s important to note that not all pensioners qualify for this payment.
This reminder follows a significant scam warning regarding Winter Fuel Payments, with the DWP urging older people to be vigilant of fraudulent text messages, reports Chronicle Live.
When you will not be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment
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 a 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
How much you’ll get
The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 15 and 21 September 2025. This is called the ‘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’ll get either:
- £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’s 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 SupportIf you do not get any of the benefits, you’ll get a payment of:
£100 if you and the person you live with were both 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 but the person you live with was born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959
- £150 if you and the person you live with were born before 22 September 1945If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:
If you live in a care home and if you’re eligible you’ll get either:
- £100 if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959
- £150 if you were born before 22 September 1945
So, who is eligible for this cash benefit and who isn’t?
The Government stipulates that you can receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 22 September 1959 and reside in England or Wales.
However, there are specific circumstances where you will not qualify. These are detailed below.
More information can be found here.
Circumstances where you will not be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment
You will not qualify if you:.
If you reside in a care home.
You can receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home. However, you will not qualify if both of the following conditions apply:.
The amount you’ll receive.
The amount you receive is determined by your birth date and your circumstances between 15 and 21 September 2025, known as the ‘qualifying week’. Any money received will not impact your other benefits.
If you live alone or no one you live with qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment, you’ll receive either:.
If you live with someone else who qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment, your payment may vary if you receive one of the following benefits:.
If you don’t receive any of the benefits, you’ll receive a payment of:.
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will receive a payment of either:.
If you receive any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim), you’ll receive a payment of either:.
If you reside in a care home and are eligible, you’ll receive either:.
(Image: Halfpoint Images via Getty Images)