The DWP has confirmed that four groups of people will not be eligible to receive the winter fuel payment, even if they meet the primary age criteria – and it will start from tomorrow
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that four groups of individuals will not be eligible for the winter fuel payment, despite meeting the primary age criteria. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has reinstated the payment for 9 million pensioners this winter.
The winter fuel payment provides between £200 – £300 depending on personal circumstances – and it will start being paid automatically into accounts from tomorrow (November 1). To qualify, individuals must be of a certain age and earn £35,000 or less in taxable income.
The DWP has announced that the winter fuel payment for 2025 to 2026 will be made to everyone in England and Wales born before 22 September 1959.
Those who are eligible should get a letter in October or November informing them of the amount of Winter Fuel Payment they will receive. However, there are five groups of people who will not be eligible, even if they were born here and meet the cash and age criteria.
People will not be eligible if they:
- live outside England and Wales
- were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of September 15 to 21, 2025, and the year before that
- need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- were in prison for the whole of the week of September 15 to 21, 2025
- live in a care home
You will not be eligible 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 earlier
If your income is over £35,000
HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either:
- changing your tax code for the 2026 to 2027 tax year
- adding the amount to your 2025 to 2026 Self Assessment tax return
Pensioners are being warned to watch out for winter fuel payment scams after a spike in referrals ahead of the money reaching people’s bank accounts from next month. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people not to engage with scam messages.
Data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has unveiled a staggering 153% surge in scam referrals in the final week of September, compared to the previous week.
Scammers are sending messages pretending to be government officials processing winter fuel payment applications. These fraudulent communications had begun to decrease after peaking in June – but they’re on the rise again as payments are due next month.
However, the Government has clarified that winter fuel payments are made automatically, and it will never request bank details via text. Anyone who receives a text message inviting them to apply for a payment should not respond and instead forward it to 7726, the Government advised.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is intensifying its social media campaign in collaboration with Action Fraud to raise awareness of these scams, while also working alongside charities.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden issued a stern warning: “If you get a text message about winter fuel payments, it’s a scam. They will be made automatically so you do not need to apply.
“These despicable attempts by criminals to target people are on the rise. We are raising awareness to make it harder for fraudsters to succeed.
“If you receive a suspicious message about winter fuel payments, don’t engage – forward it to 7726 and delete it immediately.”
Winter fuel payments will be deposited directly into people’s bank accounts, with qualifying pensioners set to receive correspondence in October or November detailing their payment amount. The payments are scheduled to arrive between mid-November and December 2025.
Pensioners on low incomes may be eligible for additional winter support through pension credit – worth an average of £4,300 annually. Those with care requirements can also make claims for attendance allowance.
The Government had previously announced plans to limit winter fuel payment eligibility, but subsequently reversed this decision, reinstating payments for the overwhelming majority of pensioners who had been receiving them.
Anyone who suspects they’ve fallen victim to a scam should notify their bank and contact the police immediately.
Rachel Vahey, head of public policy at AJ Bell, said: “Many pensioners may wonder if there is a requirement to submit new information to the Government because of the changes over the past year, but your payments will be made automatically, and you shouldn’t have to respond to text messages, emails or phone calls to make sure they are paid.”
For more information on winter fuel payment eligibility click here.
