Winter fuel payment

If you were born before 22 September 1959 you could get between £100 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026.

Most people will get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically. 

If your income is over £35,000, HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back.

If you're eligible, you'll get a letter in October or November saying how much you'll get.

Most eligible people will be paid in November or December 2025.

If you don't get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically you may need to claim if either of the following apply:

• you've not got the Winter Fuel Payment before
• you've deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment

For more information about eligibility and to see if you need to make a claim visit the Governments Winter Fuel Payment Webpage or for further help and advice call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre:

Telephone: 0800 731 0160 available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

If you no longer qualify for the scheme and you're struggling with high energy bills or with the cost of living in general, you should check if you can claim benefits. Take a look at our Better off Calculator.

If you need further Welfare Benefits Advice please complete our general enquiry form.