Here’s what you need to know about the Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payment
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has highlighted three ‘winter benefits’ available during the colder months. These financial perks are generally available to people claiming certain benefits or those born before a specific date, and can help offset increased bills.
“Three winter benefits you could apply for,” the DWP said yesterday on X. “As the weather gets colder, you could get help with your bills To find out more search for ‘winter benefits’ at https://gov.uk.”
The Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payment were the three key benefits spotlighted by the DWP. While you can visit GOV.UK for more information about them, we’ve also outlined what they entail and the eligibility criteria below.
Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual, tax-free benefit designed to assist older people with their heating costs during colder months. People born before September 22, 1959, who are currently residing in England or Wales, are eligible.
The amount you can receive is impacted by your circumstances between September 15 and 21, 2025, which is also known as the ‘qualifying week’. This can vary depending on other benefits you receive, including Pension Credit, Income Support, and several others.
Nonetheless, generally, if you live alone or no one else you live with is eligible for the payment, you could potentially get either:
- £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
Meanwhile, if you and a partner jointly claim Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income Support, you might get:
- £200 if both of you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £300 if one or both of you were born before September 22, 1945
Official advice from GOV.UK adds: “You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible. If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.
“The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 15 and 21 September 2025. This is called the ‘qualifying week’. Any money you get will not affect your other benefits.”
Northern Ireland also offers its own Winter Fuel Payment with the same eligibility rules, but applicants will need to refer to NI Direct for further instructions. Meanwhile, Scotland’s Winter Fuel Payment has been replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP).
More information for England and Wales can be found here.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount Scheme offers a one-time £150 reduction on your electricity bill. If you qualify, your electricity provider will deduct this amount automatically from your bill.
In turn, this generally means that eligible people in England and Wales aren’t required to apply for the discount, as the scheme does not provide direct payments to households. Residents of Scotland who are on a low income will need to apply by contacting their energy supplier.
Advice from GOV.UK adds: “You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.”
Crucially, there are several different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount depending on where you live. For England and Wales, you may be eligible if you are either receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income.
To be considered as having a low income, the Government requires that you meet the following criteria as of August 24, 2025:
Qualifying means-tested benefits generally include the following:
- Housing Benefit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- the ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
People in England and Wales usually receive letters between October 2025 and January 2026 if they qualify for the scheme. However, if you believe you’re eligible but do not receive a letter within this period, contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
You can also find out more information here.
Cold Weather Payment
Cold Weather Payments are additional benefits provided to people receiving specific benefits during periods of very cold weather. These are issued when the average temperature in your area is recorded or forecasted to be zero degrees Celsius or lower for seven consecutive days.
Generally, you will receive £25 for each seven-day interval of very cold weather occurring from November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. People in England and Wales may be eligible for Cold Weather Payments if they receive:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
However, exactly whether you qualify will largely depend on your individual circumstances. For instance, if you are claiming Universal Credit, you and your partner must not be employed or ‘gainfully self-employed’ in order to receive the benefit.
To check your eligibility and the criteria for Cold Weather Payments in Northern Ireland, head to the NI Direct website. If you live in Scotland, you are not eligible for Cold Weather Payments, but you might receive an annual Winter Heating Payment instead.
For more information on England and Wales, click here.
