Mercedes Mullins
Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help with heating costs during the colder months. The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances during the 'qualifying week' in September. For example, a couple each aged under 80 will be paid £100 per person. If you receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, one person will be paid the whole Winter Fuel Payment for the household.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment? | People born before 22 September 1959, people over State Pension age, people over 80, people who receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. |
| How much is the Winter Fuel Payment? | Between £100 and £300. |
| When will eligible people be paid? | November or December 2025. |
| Who will not be eligible? | People who live in a care home from 23 June to 21 September 2025 and receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. |
| How to opt out? | Contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 or online at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim. |
| How to check eligibility? | Check if your income is over £35,000. |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility criteria for Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual, tax-free lump sum payment to help with heating costs during the colder months. Eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment are as follows:
For the 2025-26 period, the Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment for households that include someone born on or before 21 September 1959. To be eligible, you will also need to be living in England or Wales for the qualifying week, which is the week beginning from the third Monday in September (15 to 21 September in 2025). If you live in a care home, you can still get the Winter Fuel Payment. However, you will not be eligible if you receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. If you or your partner are over 80, you could receive £300, and if you or your partner are over the State Pension age, you could receive £200 towards your bills.
In addition, if your income is over £35,000, HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back through the tax system. If you are eligible, you will receive a letter in October or November stating how much you will get, and most eligible people will be paid in November or December 2025.
It is important to note that eligibility rules for the Winter Fuel Payment have changed over time. From winter 2024/2025, households in England and Wales are no longer entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment unless they receive Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits. The Scottish Government is planning to introduce a universal £100 Pension Age Winter Heating Payment for households not receiving a qualifying benefit from winter 2025/2026.
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How much you'll get
The amount of money you will receive as a Winter Fuel Payment depends on your age, income, and living situation.
If you were born before 22 September 1959, you could get between £100 and £300 to help with your heating bills for the winter of 2025-2026. If you and your partner were both born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959, you will receive £100 each. If you were born within this period but your partner was born before 22 September 1945, you will still receive £100. If you or your partner are over the State Pension age, you could receive £200 towards your bills. If you or your partner are over 80, you could receive £300. If you are 80 years old or older and live alone, you will receive £300. If you live with someone else who is under 80 years old and qualifies for a Winter Fuel Payment, you will receive £200.
If your income is over £35,000, HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back. If you live in a care home and receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, you will receive £100 if you are under 80 and £150 if you are 80 or older.
The Winter Fuel Payment is typically paid automatically without a direct claim, but in the winter of 2024, most eligible pensioners only received the money if they had already registered to receive pension credit.
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When you'll get it
The Winter Fuel Payment is a state benefit paid once per year in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is intended to cover the additional costs of heating during the winter months. The payment amount varies depending on your age and living arrangements. For example, if you and your partner are both over the age of 60 but under 80, you could receive £200 towards your bills. If you or your partner are over 80, you could receive £300.
Most eligible people will receive their Winter Fuel Payment between November and December 2025. Payments will start from November 11, 2025, and continue through January 17, 2026. If you have not received your payment by January 2026, you can make a claim before the deadline of March 31, 2026. Payments will typically arrive automatically in the bank accounts of eligible individuals. However, those who do not receive certain qualifying benefits may need to submit a claim online or by post.
You can opt out of receiving the Winter Fuel Payment before September 15, 2025, by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 or online at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim. If you are eligible, you will receive a letter in October or November 2025 notifying you of how much you will receive.
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How to claim
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help with heating costs during the colder months. The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 15 and 21 September of the payment year. If you were born before 22 September 1959, you could get between £100 and £300 to help with your heating bills for winter.
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible. If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim. You can also opt out of getting the Winter Fuel Payment if you do not want to receive it.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get. Most eligible people will be paid in November or December. You might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment from the Northern Ireland Executive. Eligibility rules will be the same as for England and Wales.
If you are eligible, the Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 will be paid directly into your account between November and December 2025. If you have not received your Winter Fuel Payment by January 2026, you can make a claim before 31 March 2026. Contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160. You can also fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form and send it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A Wolverhampton WV98 1LR.
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Alternative benefits
If you were born before 22 September 1959, you could be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, which provides between £100 and £300 to help with heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. This payment is typically made automatically to those who are eligible, and most eligible individuals will be paid in November or December 2025.
Now, let's explore some alternative benefits related to the Winter Fuel Allowance:
Cold Weather Payment
If you receive certain benefits and the temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days, you may be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment. This benefit provides £25 for each seven-day period of cold weather.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off payment of £150 to assist with energy costs during the winter. You may be eligible for this discount if you receive Pension Credit or live in a low-income household.
Household Support Fund
Depending on your local council's rules, you may be eligible for support from the Household Support Fund. This fund assists individuals with their energy bills during the colder months.
Pension Credit
If you are over the State Pension age and are struggling financially, Pension Credit can help top up your income. This benefit can be especially useful in combination with the Winter Fuel Payment to manage energy costs during the winter.
It is important to note that these benefits have specific eligibility criteria, and you can check the official government websites or utilize tools like Age UK's Benefits Calculator to determine which benefits you may be entitled to receive. Additionally, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline or refer to the Gov.UK website for more information on opting out or checking your eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of money a couple receives as a winter fuel allowance depends on several factors, such as age, income, and place of residence. Here are some scenarios with potential answers:
- If both partners are under 80 years old, they will each receive £100.
- If one partner is under 80 and the other is over 80, the younger partner will receive £100, and the older partner will receive £300.
- If one partner earns more than £35,000 per year, they will not receive any payment, while the lower-income partner will receive half the standard payment.
- If the couple lives in the UK, they may be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, which is typically between £100 and £300.
- If the couple lives in Ireland, they may be eligible for the Fuel Allowance, which is €33 per week or €1,048 per week for a couple.
Please note that these amounts and eligibility criteria may change annually and may have changed since the publication of the sources used. It is always best to refer to the official government website for the most up-to-date information.
The winter fuel allowance is a government benefit provided to help individuals and households with their heating costs during the winter months.
Eligibility for the winter fuel allowance typically depends on age, income, and place of residence. For example, in the UK, individuals born before a certain date or those receiving certain benefits may be eligible.
In most cases, the winter fuel allowance is paid automatically to eligible individuals without the need for a direct claim. However, it is recommended to check with the relevant government or benefits agency to confirm the process, as there may be registration or application requirements.
The timing of the winter fuel allowance payment can vary by location. In the UK, eligible individuals will typically receive a letter in October or November informing them of the payment amount, with the payment being made in November or December.
