Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help you with heating costs during the colder months. You must have reached State Pension age. Your Winter Fuel Payment will be recovered through the tax system if your taxable income is over £35,000.

This page covers information about Winter Fuel Payments for 2025-26. 

What is the Winter Fuel Payment?

Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment for households that include someone born on or before 21 September 1959 (for 2025-26). If you have over £35,000 of taxable (gross) income per year, the payment you receive will be recovered through the tax system later on.

Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help you cover your heating costs over the winter months.

Am I eligible for Winter Fuel Payment?

You are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment in 2025-26 if:

• you were born on or before 21 September 1959
• you are living in England or Wales for the qualifying week.

The qualifying week is the week beginning from the third Monday in September. This is 15 to 21 September in 2025.

How much Winter Fuel Payment could I get?

If you or your partner are over State Pension age, you could receive £200 towards your bills. If you or your partner are over 80, you could receive £300. 

If you or your partner receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income related Employment and Support Allowance, one person will be paid the whole Winter Fuel Payment for the household.

If you and your partner do not receive one of these benefits the payment is split between you and the other qualifying people you live with.
If you are 80 years old or older, you will receive:

• £300 if you do not live with anyone else who qualifies for a payment
• £200 if you live with someone else who is under 80 years old and qualifies for a Winter Fuel Payment themselves
• £150 if you live with someone who qualifies and is also 80 or older

If you are under the age of 80, you will receive:

• £200 if you do not live with anyone else who qualifies for a payment
• £100 if you live with someone else who qualifies for a payment

What if I live in a care home?

You're not entitled to Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home from 23 June to 21 September 2025 and you receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

If you live in a care home and you don’t receive one of these benefits, your Winter Fuel Payment is £100 if you are under 80, if you are aged 80 or older it is £150.

How do I claim Winter Fuel Payment

Payments are automatic you do not need to do anything.

If you have not received your Winter Fuel Payment by January 2026, you can make a claim before 31 March 2026. Contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 or online at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim.

When will winter fuel payments be paid?

If you're eligible, the Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 will be paid directly into your account between November and December 2025.

Can I opt out of receiving the Winter Fuel Payment?

Yes, you can opt out before 15 September 2025.

Contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 or online at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim to say you do not want to receive a Winter Fuel Payment.

If you change your mind later, you can still make a claim by 31 March 2026.

You might prefer to receive the payment rather than opting out, in case you need help with your bills during the colder months. If your income is over £35,000 by the end of the financial year, the payment can be recovered through the tax system.