Winter Fuel Payment is money from the Department for Work and Pensions
DWP sending automatic £200 to state pensioners born between 1946 and 1960
The Department for Work and Pensions is sending out automatic bonus payments to state pensioners born BETWEEN 1946 and 1960. Winter Fuel Payment is money from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
In England and Wales, older people may get Winter Fuel Payment to help them with their heating bills. If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get £200 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960.
You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you have reached State Pension age. A Winter Fuel Payment is either £200 or £300 per household. You will get the higher amount if you are 80 years of age or over.
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You will get a letter in October or November explaining what the total amount is and how it will be paid.
Your automatic payment will go into the same account as your Pension or other benefits.
Payments will be made from mid-November 2025 onwards. Most eligible people will get paid automatically without having to make a claim.
You will need to make a claim if you have deferred your State Pension, and you do not get another DWP benefit, or the DWP ask you to make a claim.
If your total income is over £35,000 per year, HMRC will recover your Winter Fuel Payment. This will be done through the tax system.
If you live in Scotland, you cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment. You may be able to get a Penson Age Winter Heating Payment. This will be paid by the Scottish Government.
To opt out of getting Winter Fuel Payments, you need to either complete the opt out form before 11:59pm on 20 September 2026 or call the helpline before 6pm on 18 September 2026.
If your total income is over £35,000 and you did not opt out, HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back. You cannot return it yourself.