The government has announced that the Winter Fuel Payment is back for 2025–26, covering around nine million pensioners across England and Wales. After being cut back in 2024, this year’s scheme comes with a new twist: a £35,000 taxable income threshold, meaning higher earners will see their payments reclaimed via HMRC.

If you’re approaching retirement age or already receiving your State Pension, here’s a breakdown of how the scheme works, who qualifies, and what’s new for this winter.

Who Is Eligible?

You can qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment if:

  • You were born on or before 22 September 1959, and
  • You lived in England or Wales during the qualifying week (15–21 September 2025).

Northern Ireland follows the same rules, while Scotland has its own separate scheme.

You will not qualify if you:

  • Were in prison during the qualifying week,
  • Were receiving free inpatient hospital care, or
  • Lived in a care home where certain benefits covered your costs.

How Much Will You Get?

The amount you’ll receive depends on your age and household circumstances:

  • Under 80 and live alone: £200.
  • 80 or over and live alone: £300.
  • Live with another eligible person: Payment is split, usually £100–£150 each depending on age.
  • Receiving Pension Credit or certain benefits: One person may receive the full household payment.

The payment is made on top of your other benefits and does not affect them.

The £35,000 Income Threshold

This is the biggest change for 2025–26.

  • If your taxable income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will reclaim the Winter Fuel Payment through your tax code or via Self-Assessment.
  • If you’d rather avoid this, you can opt out by 15 September 2025.
  • Pensioners on Pension Credit are exempt from the income threshold and will keep the payment in full.

HMRC has released an online calculator so you can check whether you’re likely to be affected.

When Will You Be Paid?

  • Letters confirming your payment will arrive in October or November 2025.
  • Payments will be made automatically between mid-November and December 2025.

No action is needed if you’ve received a Winter Fuel Payment before, unless your circumstances have changed.

What If You Don’t Get Paid Automatically?

Some pensioners need to claim manually, particularly if they:

  • Live abroad.
  • Have never received the payment before.
  • Recently moved or changed circumstances.

How to claim:

  • By post: From 15 September 2025.
  • By phone: From 13 October 2025.
  • Deadline: 31 March 2026.

Key Dates to Remember

  • Qualifying week: 15–21 September 2025.
  • Claim by post begins: 15 September 2025.
  • Claim by phone begins: 13 October 2025.
  • Opt-out deadline: 15 September 2025.
  • Payment notifications sent: October–November 2025.
  • Payments made: Mid-November to December 2025.
  • Deadline to claim if needed: 31 March 2026.

Why This Matters

This year’s scheme represents a policy U-turn. In 2024, payments were restricted to those on Pension Credit, sparking criticism and leaving millions without support. For 2025, the payment has been reinstated more broadly, but with a safeguard, high-income pensioners won’t benefit.

It’s a balancing act, protecting those most in need while keeping public spending in check.

Extra Support

If you struggle with energy costs, you may be able to access additional help:

  • EPC Checker – Review your home’s energy performance certificate to see if your property could benefit from insulation, or heating upgrades.
  • ECO4 and GBIS Scheme: Government backed programmes offering free or subsidised home improvements for eligible households.

Improving your home’s efficiency can cut bills long term, potentially saving hundreds each year.