Winter Fuel Payments

What is Winter Fuel Payment?

Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment designed to help you cover your heating costs over the winter months.  You could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026.

Who is 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 15th to 21st September in 2025.

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

What else do I need to know?

If you have over £35,000 of taxable (gross) income per year, the winter fuel payment you receive will be recovered through the tax system later on.  

HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either:

• changing your tax code for the 2026 to 2027 tax year

• adding the amount to your 2025 to 2026 Self Assessment tax return

You can check if your income is over the threshold and how HMRC will take it back via the following web link www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment .

How do I claim Winter Fuel Payment?

Payments are automatic you do not need to do anything.  If you're eligible, the Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 will be paid directly into your account between November and December 2025.

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. 

You may get calls, emails or messages that are pretending to be from a government service asking you to make you a claim for winter fuel payment.  If you get a message asking for your personal details (for example, bank details or passwords) this could be a scam. 

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.

This information is taken from two of our trusted resources, the Gov.uk website and the Age UK website.

PWCAC is OPEN for face-to-face advice (appointments and drop-ins) Monday to Friday, 9:30 – 1:30. If you need advice about welfare benefits, housing and homelessness, debt, relationship breakdown, consumer issues or anything else, get in touch:  info@pwadvice.org | 01892 838619 | www.pwadvice.org  | 94 Commercial Road, Paddock Wood