Rachel Lawrence December 10, 2025

Around 9m pensioners should receive the Winter Fuel Payment this winter to help with the cost of soaring energy bills.

Previously, only those claiming Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits were set to receive for the tax-free payment this winter, but this has now changed so that an estimated 9m pensioners with an income lower than £35,000 should qualify.

Here, we explain everything you need to know about the Winter Fuel Payment and who now qualifies. Find out more about financial support for energy costs in our guide Are you eligible for help with heating costs?

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Winter Fuel Payment Explained: Who is eligible?

The Winter Fuel Payment (or Winter Fuel Allowance, as it’s sometimes called) is designed to help some people aged 66 and over to pay their gas and electricity bills in the winter.

To qualify, you must live in England or Wales and have been born before 22 September 1959. Your income must be lower than £35,000.

If you live in Scotland, you may receive an annual Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead of the Winter Fuel Payment. This is a flat £59.75 payment which goes to those receiving certain benefits. You can find out more at mygov.scot.

How much Winter Fuel Payment will you receive?

If you live on your own, 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 and you are jointly claiming benefits, you’ll get either:

  • £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

Do you get the Winter Fuel Payment if you’re in a care home?

You can still get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home, but you won’t be eligible if both of the following apply:

  1. You get Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  2. You lived in a care home for the whole time from 23 June 2025 or earlier.

How is the Winter Fuel Payment paid?

If you get your State Pension or other benefits paid into your bank account, that’s how you’ll receive your Winter Fuel Payment too.

Find out more about making a claim and the information you’ll need to provide here.

When is the Winter Fuel Payment made?

The government writes to people in October and November telling them when they will receive their Winter Fuel Payment and how much it will be. Payments should be made automatically in November or December, and you should get your money by 28 January 2026 at the latest.

If you’ve not received a letter or payment by January, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payments helpline on 0800 731 0160.

Who doesn’t get the Winter Fuel Payment?

Some people who live in a care home and those who don’t live in the UK on a specified date may lose out. You won’t get Winter Fuel Payment if:

  • You don’t normally live in the UK during the week of 15-21 September 2025. The rules say that you have to normally live in the UK for any day during that week.
  • You have been in hospital for a year getting free treatment.
  • Your income is higher than £35,000.

Can you claim other benefits?

Any money you get from the Winter Fuel Payment won’t affect your eligibility for other benefits. If you’re on a low income, it’s vital to check whether you’re eligible for Pension Credit as soon as possible, as it could not only provide you with valuable retirement income, but it may also help you qualify for other support.

For example, if you get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, you may also get your Council Tax paid in full, and if you’re aged 75 or over and receive Pension Credit, you’ll qualify for a free TV licence. You can find out if you’re eligible for Pension Credit and how much you can get using the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator.

If you do qualify, you can make a Pension Credit claim by phone using the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234. If you’d rather make a paper application, you can request one on the above number, or you can download and print a Pension Claim form here. Find out everything you need to know about Pension Credit in our guide Pension Credit explained.

Other help with heating costs

If you’re not eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you might still qualify for other help with your heating bills, so it’s well worth exploring some of the options that might be available to you. Find out more in our guide Are you eligible for help with heating costs?

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Rachel Lawrence

Rachel Lawrence is a freelance journalist and regular contributor to Rest Less.

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