The DWP is set to pay out Winter Fuel Payments to eligible individuals in the coming months. However, not all pensioners will qualify for the payment – here’s the full list of those who won’tSonia Sharma Parenting Reporter, Ashley Bautista and Ellie Gosley
14:52, 02 Sep 2025Updated 14:52, 02 Sep 2025
Eligible pensioners will receive between £100 and £300 to help with their heating bills this winter(Image: Andrzej Rostek via Getty Images)
Winter Fuel Payments are set to provide financial assistance to pensioners across the UK by helping them manage their heating bills this year. The majority of those eligible will receive the payment automatically.
Individuals born before September 22, 1959 could be entitled to between £100 and £300 to help with their heating bills for the winter of 2025 to 2026. However, if your income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will reclaim your Winter Fuel Payment.
Those who qualify will receive a letter in October or November outlining the amount they’ll receive. However, it’s worth noting that not all pensioners are eligible for the payment.
This comes after a significant scam warning related to Winter Fuel Payments, with the DWP urging older people to be wary of fraudulent text messages. So, who is eligible for the cash and who isn’t?
According to the Government, you can receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959 and live in England or Wales. However, there are specific circumstances when you will not qualify, reports the Mirror. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here
Circumstances where you will not be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment
You will not qualify if you:
live outside England and Waleswere in hospital receiving free treatment for the whole of the week of September 15 to 21 2025 and the year before thatneed permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public fundswere in prison for the whole of the week of September 15 to 21 2025
If you live in a care home
You can receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home. However, you will not qualify 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 whole time from June 23 2025 or earlierThe amount you’ll receive
The sum you’re entitled to is based on your birth date and circumstances during the ‘qualifying week’, which is between 15 and 21 September 2025. Importantly, this payment won’t affect any other benefits you may be receiving.
If you live alone or no one else in your household qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment, you’ll receive 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 share your home with another person who’s also eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.
Your payment could differ if you’re currently receiving any of the following benefits:
Pension CreditUniversal Creditincome-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)Income Support
If you don’t receive any of the benefits, you’ll be given 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 receive 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’re in receipt of 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 and meet the eligibility criteria, you’ll receive either:
£100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959£150 if you were born before September 22, 1945