The government has announced that claiming Pension Credit is no longer key to getting the Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales. Instead, the payment of up to £300 per household will be made automatically to all pensioners, however, If you have yearly taxable earnings above £35,000 most of the money will be taken back by HMRC. If you have yearly taxable earnings of £35,000 or less, you will keep the payment.

This is a major change in eligibility, and it is estimated that around three quarters of all pensioners will now get – and keep - the tax-free payment this winter. More details about the 2025/26 payment will be availableOpens in a new window on GOV.UK at the end of June.

No. While all pensioners will get the payment from this winter, only those pensioners who have earnings on or below £35,000 will keep their payment. Everybody else will have their payment automatically recovered by HMRC.

How much you get depends on your age, who you live with, their age and your circumstances between the 15 and 21 of September 2025. This is called ‘qualifying week’. 

You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get.  

If you live with a partner and are both aged over 80 years  during ‘qualifying week’ you will get a higher payment. If you are aged 66 to 79 years you will get a lower payment.

Find out full details about the winter fuel paymentOpens in a new window on GOV.UK.

Income from private pensions, the State Pension, employment, and savings interest, all count as taxable income. GOV.UK has a handy summary of what counts as taxable incomeOpens in a new window. But some benefits such as Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, and savings interest that’s inside an ISA wrapper do not count as taxable income. If you’re not sure what benefits do and do not countOpens in a new window, visit GOV.UK.

Yes. You can opt outOpens in a new window of getting the payment if you do not wish to receive it or think you’ll need to pay it back. For everything you need to know about opting out see our blog Winter Fuel Payment deadline to opt out.  

In Scotland the Winter Fuel Payment has been replaced by Pension Age Winter Heating PaymentOpens in a new window, worth up to £305.10 for the winter of 2025/26. Eligibility will be in line with England and Wales. 

In Northern Ireland, the Winter Fuel Payment, is worth between £250 and £600. Northern Ireland's communities minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed that the Executive will look to expand the payments in line with the new criteria in England and Wales. For full details see the Winter Fuel PaymentOpens in a new window page on NI Direct. 

No. If you are 65, you’re under State Pension age, and will not be entitled to the payment if you live alone. However, if you live with your partner who is over State Pension age, your partner will be eligible and will get a Winter Fuel Payment for your household. If their earnings are on or under £35,000 per year your household will keep the payment.

The Winter Fuel Payment is just one form of support you could get if you’re struggling with heating costs. We’ve a whole guide on How to reduce your energy bills to help make sure you’re not paying more than you need to.  

You could also get: 

• a Cold Weather Payment - if you get certain benefits and the temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven days in a row you can get £25 for every seven-day period. See more in our blog Who is entitled to Cold Weather Payments?  
• the Warm Home Discount - this is a £150 discount on your bills if you get certain means-tested benefits. See What is the Warm Home Discount and how can I apply? 
• targeted benefits - there are different benefits that a designed to help people meet their living costs in retirement. See our Benefits in retirement guide for how to apply.  

If you’re on a low income you can also apply to the Help from the Household Support Fund, if you’re eligible under your local council’s rules. Also see Living on a squeezed income for how to save money on household bills.