Following a Government U-turn earlier this year, nine million pensioners will receive the winter fuel payment from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), but there are five groups who will not receive help to heat their homes
Individuals living in England and Wales who were born before September 22 1959 may get financial assistance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help them pay bills to stay warm this winter.
Those who are eligible will receive between £100 and £300 after Chancellor Rachel Reeves reinstated the winter fuel payment for nine million pensioners.
Most will receive the money automatically if they are eligible but there have been changes to the system since previous years. Here are the five groups who will NOT receive a payment even if they are in the correct age bracket of 66 years old and live in England or Wales.
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You are not eligible for winter fuel payments if you:
- Earn more than £35,000 a year
- Were in hospital receiving free treatment for the entire week of 15 to 21 September 2025 (and the year before that)
- Were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025
- Live in a care home and receive certain benefits and lived there for the entire year from 23 June 2025 or earlier
- Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave prohibits you from claiming public fund
If an individual state pensioner earns more than £35,000 for the tax year 2025/26, your payment will be taken back through a change in your tax code the following year. This usually happens automatically through pay as you earn (PAYE). If you are self-employed or a high income earner the money will be taken back when you file a self-assessment tax return. It is also possible to opt out of the payment rather than have it retrieved via the above methods.
Some care home residents will receive the payment but if both of the following apply, you will not:
- You receive 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 entire year from 23 June 2025 or earlier
If you are eligible for the winter fuel payment, you will receive a letter in October or November informing you how much money you will get. According to the DWP, most people will be paid in either November or December this year.
It’s important to be wary of scams relating to the payment pretending to be from a government service. Never pass on your personal details, such as bank account information or passwords. If you think something is suspicious, report it here.
Pensioners living in Northern Ireland may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment from the Northern Ireland Executive. Eligibility rules will be the same as for England and Wales. Those in Scotland do not receive the winter fuel payment but could be eligible for pension age winter heating payment. The government website has more information on the winter fuel payment.
