Millions of Britons are set to receive a financial boost this winter, with up to £300 on offer from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Those eligible include individuals of a certain age group and with particular income levels.
For the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment, the DWP has confirmed that the qualifying week will be 15-21 September, automatically benefitting those born on or before 22 September, 1959 residing in England and Wales. An estimated nine million pensioners could be in line for payments ranging from £200 to £300, aimed at easing the pressure of soaring energy costs during the colder season.
Designed to aid older folk with an income under £35,000 annually, the payment is nevertheless available to higher earners – who have the option to decline the amount or reimburse it via their Self-Assessment tax return through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). There’s no need for any applications; as these payments will be made automatically.
As reported by the Daily Record, Scottish pensioners are set to enjoy similar benefits due to policy alterations; despite Scotland replacing the Winter Fuel Payments with the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, they won’t miss out on support. Specifically, First Minister John Swinney reassured on Monday that Scots would not receive anything less than their entitlements under the current UK Government’s scheme.
Details about the adjustments to the Winter Fuel Payment are expected soon, with assurances from Swinney that “the Scottish Government will always seek what is best for Scotland’s pensioners”. The Scottish administration has pledged to give every one of Scotland’s 1.1 million retirees at least £100 on St Andrew’s Day, November 30. Specifically, individuals aged 66-79 claiming eligible means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit, will get £203.40, while those aged 80+ on the same benefits will get £305.10.
Now, all pensioner households seem likely to receive a minimum of £200. Meanwhile, the DWP has issued a warning to the elderly community to beware of potential scams. They were told to be vigilant against con artists using fake winter heating payment messages, via texts, emails, and social media.
A clear warning was issued: “If you receive a text about ‘Winter Fuel Payment’ it is a scam. Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, you do not need to do anything.”
As we await the full details on this year’s Winter Fuel Payment expected by the end of June, here’s an outline of what we know regarding eligibility.
Eligibility
To receive the Winter Fuel Payment, you must be of State Pension age during the specified week – the third week of September. For 2025/26, that means the week of 15-21 September 2025. Therefore, to qualify, you must have been born on or before 22 September 1959.
Winter Fuel Payments are set at £200 per household for those aged between 66 and 79, or £300 per household where someone is aged 80 or over. Shared payments are received by pensioners not on an income-related benefit such as Pension Credit.
For pensioners with an income exceeding £35,000
The payment will be reclaimed from individuals via HMRC based on their individual taxable incomes. For the majority, it will be recovered through PAYE, or in their Self-Assessment tax return for those who file and pay their taxes in this way.
The recovery process will be made as simple as possible with clear guidance provided for taxpayers. For those who wish to opt out of receiving the Winter Fuel Payment, DWP will create a simple system to allow them to do so, eliminating the need for HMRC to reclaim the payment. Further details on this will be announced this month.
For additional information, visit gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment.
