The Winter Fuel Payment helps eligible people over State Pension age (66) with their heating bills during the colder months. Payments typically range from £100 to £300 depending on your circumstances.
Am I eligible?
You will be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment if:
- You were born on or before 21 September 1959.
- You were living in England or Wales for the qualifying week. This was 15 to 21 September 2025.
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible. You do not need to claim if you get any of the following:
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.
If you do not receive any of these benefits, you need to claim if either of the following apply:
- You’ve not received the Winter Fuel Payment before
- You’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment
Payment amounts
To receive a Winter Fuel Payment this year, you must be of State Pension age (66).
- If you or your partner are over State Pension age, you could receive £200 towards your bills.
- If you or your partner are over 80, you could receive £300.
If you or your partner receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income related Employment and Support Allowance, one person will be paid the whole Winter Fuel Payment for the household.
If you and your partner do not receive one of these benefits the payment is split between you and the other qualifying people you live with.
If you are 80 years old or older, you will receive:
- £300 if you do not live with anyone else who qualifies for a payment
- £200 if you live with someone else who is under 80 years old and qualifies for a Winter Fuel Payment themselves
- £150 if you live with someone who qualifies and is also 80 or older
If you are under the age of 80, you will receive:
- £200 if you do not live with anyone else who qualifies for a payment
- £100 if you live with someone else who qualifies for a payment
When and how will I receive it?
Winter Fuel Payments are automatically paid into your account in November or December. You should receive a letter from the Government directly with an estimated payment date and amount.
If you don't receive a letter or the payment isn't in your account by the end of January, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre at 0800 731 0160 or find out more on the Government’s website.
If you meet the qualifying conditions but don’t receive your payment automatically, you can make a claim before 31 March 2026. More details on how to make a claim are available here.
Need extra help?
For more information about the support that’s available to help you with energy costs, you can visit our ‘your energy, our support’ webpage.
To help you get most from your money, we’ve partnered with Citizens Advice to offer you free, confidential and helpful impartial advice. Their friendly team of expert money advisors can help you manage debt and offer impartial energy advice, including switching providers to save money and applications for the Warm Home Discount.
For more details, click here.
