Most pensioners will get up to £300 to help towards their energy costs however while the majority do not have to do anything to get the money some must make a claim
The money could help pensioners with energy bills(Image: John Lamb via Getty Images)
As the cooler weather draws in, many pensioners are already worrying of how they will stay warm during the winter months. However, soaring energy costs can pose an additional financial burden for those who may already be under strain.
Assistance is available through the Department of Work and Pensions’ Winter Fuel Payment, which provides a contribution towards some of these costs. This benefit is offered to those born before 22 September 1959, with an allowance of up to £300 available to help keep homes warm.
In 2024, the Labour government altered the eligibility criteria for this payment, drastically reducing the number of pensioners who would receive the money and leaving just 1.5 million people to qualify. Previously, it was given to all pensioners, but under the new policy, it was only made available to those on certain means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit.
However, following significant backlash from charities and pensioner organisations, the rules have been revised once again this year. The government has now announced that it will reinstate the payment for pensioners with incomes up to £35,000 in 2025, increasing the number of those eligible to nine million.
Despite these changes, some people will still not qualify – even if their income falls below this threshold. And those with incomes above £35,000 will continue to receive the payment, however they will be required to repay it unless they choose to opt out of receiving the money initially, reports the Express.
Those excluded include if you were in hospital or a care home for a specific week in September. People who live outside England or Wales are also ineligible.
Most people who qualify will get the payment automatically. The DWP says: “If you were born before September 22, 1959, you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment.”
People living in Northern Ireland might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment from the Northern Ireland Executive. Eligibility rules will be the same as for England and Wales.
Those living in Scotland cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment. However they might be eligible for Pension Age Winter Heating payment.
If you live in a care home you can get Winter Fuel Payment. 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 entire year from June 23, 2025, or earlier
Who will get the payment automatically
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible. You do not need to claim if you get any of the following:
State PensionPension CreditUniversal CreditAttendance AllowancePersonal Independence Payment (PIP)Carer’s AllowanceDisability Living Allowance (DLA)Income Supportincome-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)awards from the War Pensions SchemeIndustrial Injuries Disablement BenefitIncapacity BenefitIndustrial Death Benefit
Who must claim
While the payment is automatic for most some must apply to receive it. According to the DWP if you do not get any of the above benefits, you need to claim if either of the following apply:
you’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment beforeyou’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment
How to claim
You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by:
post – from 15 September 2025phone – from 13 October 2025
The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2025 to 2026 is 31 March 2026.
Claim by post
Fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form and send it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
Winter Fuel Payment Centre Mail Handling Site A Wolverhampton WV98 1LR
Claim by phone
Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to claim by phone.
Winter Fuel Payment Centre Email enquiry form Telephone: 0800 731 0160 Textphone: contact Relay UK on 18001 then 0800 731 0160 British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer – find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm Find out about call charges
What to prepare before you call
Before you call, you will need to know:
your National Insurance numberyour bank or building society detailsthe date you were married or entered into a civil partnership (if appropriate)
You’ll also need to say whether during the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September 2025 you were:
in hospital getting free in-patient treatmentin a residential care home or Ilford Park Resettlement Homein prison
How much will I get?
The amount you get is based on your birth date and circumstances between September 15 and 21, 2025. This is called the ‘qualifying week’.
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment you will get either:
£200 if you were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959£300 if you were born before September 22, 1945If 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 CreditUniversal Creditincome-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)Income Support
If 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 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
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits
One of you will get 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
If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim)
You’ll get 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
If you live in a care home if you’re 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
Will it affect my benefits?
Any payment, no matter the amount, will not affect your other benefits.
When will I be paid?
Most people who qualify will be paid in November or December 2025.
