If you were born before 22 September 1959, you could receive between £100 and £300 to help with your heating costs during the 2025 to 2026 winter season. This payment is known as the Winter Fuel Payment, a government scheme designed to support older people with energy bills through the cold months.
This payment is usually made automatically to those who qualify. However, it’s important to know the exact Winter Fuel Payment dates, amounts, eligibility rules, and what to do if you haven’t received yours.
What Is the Winter Fuel Payment?
The Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off annual payment from the UK government to help eligible pensioners cover heating costs during winter. It is tax-free, does not affect other benefits, and is usually paid between November and December each year.
For the 2025/2026 winter, most eligible people will receive their payment in November or December 2025, and a letter confirming the amount will be sent in October or November.
Who Is Eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment?
You qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if:
- You were born before 22 September 1959
- You live in England or Wales during the qualifying week, which runs from 15 to 21 September 2025
If you live in Northern Ireland, you might still be eligible under the Northern Ireland Executive’s version of the scheme.
If you live in Scotland, you will not receive the Winter Fuel Payment but may qualify for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead.
When You Are Not Eligible
You will not be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if you:
- Live permanently outside England or Wales
- Were in hospital for the entire week of 15–21 September 2025
- Are in the UK on limited leave and your immigration conditions state “no recourse to public funds”
- Were in prison for the full qualifying week
If You Live in a Care Home
You can still receive the payment if you live in a care home, but you won’t qualify if:
- You receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and
- You’ve lived in a care home since 23 June 2025 or earlier
Winter Fuel Payment Amounts for 2025/2026
Your Winter Fuel Payment amount depends on your age, living situation, and whether you receive certain benefits. The qualifying week is 15–21 September 2025.
If You Live Alone (or No One You Live With Qualifies)
| Date of Birth | Payment Amount |
|---|---|
| 22 Sep 1945 – 21 Sep 1959 | £200 |
| Before 22 Sep 1945 | £300 |
If You Live With Someone Who Also Qualifies
If neither of you receives certain benefits:
| Situation | Amount Each |
|---|---|
| Both born 22 Sep 1945 – 21 Sep 1959 | £100 |
| You born 22 Sep 1945 – 21 Sep 1959, partner born before 22 Sep 1945 | £100 |
| You born before 22 Sep 1945, partner born 22 Sep 1945 – 21 Sep 1959 | £200 |
| Both born before 22 Sep 1945 | £150 |
If You and Your Partner Jointly Claim Certain Benefits
If you jointly claim Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, or income-based JSA/ESA:
| Date of Birth | Amount |
|---|---|
| Both born 22 Sep 1945 – 21 Sep 1959 | £200 |
| One or both born before 22 Sep 1945 | £300 |
If You Get Benefits (Not as a Joint Claim)
If you get one of the qualifying benefits in your own name:
| Date of Birth | Amount |
|---|---|
| 22 Sep 1945 – 21 Sep 1959 | £200 |
| Before 22 Sep 1945 | £300 |
If You Live in a Care Home
| Date of Birth | Amount |
|---|---|
| 22 Sep 1945 – 21 Sep 1959 | £100 |
| Before 22 Sep 1945 | £150 |
How and When You’ll Be Paid
Most eligible people will receive their Winter Fuel Payment automatically. You will get a letter confirming:
- How much you’ll receive
- Which bank account it will be paid into (usually the same one as your State Pension or benefits)
Payments are made in November or December 2025. If you haven’t received your money by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
If Your Income Is Over £35,000
If your income exceeds £35,000, HMRC may reclaim your Winter Fuel Payment. This will be done by either:
- Adjusting your tax code for the 2026–2027 tax year, or
- Adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return for 2025–2026
You cannot send the money back yourself. HMRC will make the necessary deductions automatically.
How to Claim the Winter Fuel Payment (If You Don’t Get It Automatically)
You don’t need to claim if you already receive any of these benefits:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
- War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit
You must claim if:
- You’ve never received the Winter Fuel Payment before, or
- You’ve deferred your State Pension since your last payment
Claiming by Post
You can claim by post from 15 September 2025.
Complete a Winter Fuel Payment claim form and send it to:
Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1LR
Claiming by Phone
You can also claim by phone from 13 October 2025.
Telephone: 0800 731 0160
Textphone (Relay UK): 18001 then 0800 731 0160
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay: available on computer, mobile or tablet
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm
The deadline for claiming the Winter Fuel Payment for 2025/2026 is 31 March 2026.
What You’ll Need Before You Call
When claiming by phone, have the following information ready:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your bank or building society details
- The date you were married or entered a civil partnership (if applicable)
You’ll also need to confirm your circumstances during the qualifying week (15–21 September 2025) — such as whether you were:
- In hospital receiving free inpatient treatment
- In a care home or Ilford Park Resettlement Home
- In prison
Reporting Changes or Problems
You should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre if you:
- Move house
- Move into a care home
- Need to update your personal details
- Have not received your payment by 28 January 2026
Contact details:
Telephone: 0800 731 0160
Mail: Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1LR
Opting Out or Back In
If you want to opt out of receiving the Winter Fuel Payment, note that the deadline for 2025/2026 has passed.
You can opt out for 2026/2027 from 1 April 2026.
If you change your mind and want to opt in again, you must contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 31 March 2026.
If You’re Paid Too Much
You may need to repay part or all of your Winter Fuel Payment if you:
- Fail to report a change of circumstances promptly
- Provide incorrect information
- Are overpaid by mistake
If you disagree with a decision about your payment, you can request a mandatory reconsideration.
Protect Yourself From Scams
Be aware of scam calls, texts, or emails pretending to be from government departments.
If you’re asked for bank details, passwords, or other personal information, do not respond — it’s likely a scam.
Report any suspicious contact to Action Fraud.
Other Support for Heating Costs
If you don’t qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment, or need extra help, you may be eligible for:
- Cold Weather Payment – extra help if temperatures drop to 0°C or below for 7 consecutive days
- Warm Home Discount – a £150 discount on your electricity bill if you get Pension Credit or are on a low income
- Household Support Fund – additional help from your local council depending on your circumstances
