In the majority of cases, you should have received the money automatically – but there are some circumstances where you may need to apply
UK households don’t have long left before three major schemes worth up to £475 close for the winter.
There are just days left to check if you qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount or Cold Weather Payments.
In the majority of cases, you should have received the money automatically if you were eligible – but there are some circumstances where you may need to apply.
We explain everything you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payment – £300
Winter Fuel Payments are worth up to £300 and are available to those who are over state pension age. If you earn over £35,000, then you will need to pay your Winter Fuel Payment back through the tax system.
Most people normally receive this payment automatically in November or December – but there are some circumstances where you may need to claim.
For example, you may need to claim if you’ve deferred your state pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment. If you’ve yet to receive your Winter Fuel Payment, the deadline to submit your claim is March 31.
Winter Fuel Payments are being paid to people who were born before September 22, 1959. You should have received your payment automatically if you claimed one of the following benefits in the qualifying week September 15 to 21, 2025:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Income Support
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit
Warm Home Discount – £150
The Warm Home Discount gives you £150 off your electricity bill, with the money applied directly to your energy account, or as vouchers if you are a prepayment customer.
The money has to be applied to your account by March 31 and in most cases, this is done automatically. You have to be claiming certain benefits to be eligible for the Warm Home Discount.
If you live in England or Wales, you will receive the Warm Home Discount automatically.
If you live in Scotland, the payment is only automatic if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. For other benefits, you will need to apply by contacting your energy supplier.
You are eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you were claiming one of the following benefits on the qualifying date of August 24:
- Guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Universal Credit
- “Savings Credit” part of Pension Credit
Cold Weather Payments – £25
Cold Weather Payments are worth £25 every time the average temperature where you live hits zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days.
The money is awarded to people on low incomes who receive certain benefits, or Support for Mortgage Interest. Cold Weather Payments are normally given automatically.
It is possible to get multiple payments if you experience several spells of freezing temperatures. The Cold Weather Payment scheme will end on March 31.
You are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you claim one of these benefits or mortgage support:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support (if you get disability or pensioner premium, or you live with a child who is disabled, or you have a child under five living with you)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (if you get disability or pensioner premium, or you live with a child who is disabled, or you have a child under five living with you)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (if you get severe or enhanced disability premium, or a pensioner premium, or you live with a child who is disabled, or you have a child under five living with you)
- Universal Credit (if you’re not employed or “gainfully” self-employed, your partner is not employed or “gainfully” self-employed – you or your must also have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work, or have a child under five living with you)
- Support for Mortgage Interest (if you have any of the following: severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child who is disabled, or a child under five living with you)
