Who will receive Winter Fuel Payment in the UK in 2025 and how?
As with the Covid booster, there’s currently confusion about who is eligible to receive the Winter Fuel Payment this autumn.
That’s because the rules have changed since 2024, and in the case of the Winter Fuel Payment, they have changed twice – and will change again in the future.
Here’s an explanation of what the Winter Fuel Payment is, who will receive it, and how and when they can expect money in the bank.
What is the Winter Fuel Payment?
The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free grant from the UK government intended to help older people with heating costs during the winter.
It is not a benefit for which you necessarily ‘apply’. In many cases it’s paid automatically.
Who is eligible (2025 for winter 2025–26)?
The eligibility criteria have changed recently, so it’s very important to use the latest rules:
- You must have reached State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week (15 to 21 September 2025)
- You must live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland during that qualifying week.
- In Scotland, the Winter Fuel Payment (as provided by the UK government) is no longer available — it has been replaced by a Pension Age Winter Heating Payment under Scottish Government control.
- There is an Income limit. For 2025, the government has reinstated wider eligibility but with a clawback for pensioners whose income exceeds £35,000 per year.
- Most people will receive the payment automatically if eligible. You don’t need to apply in many cases.
How Much Will It Be?
The amount depends on the recipient’s age, household situation, and whether someone in the household is over 80:
- Standard amount (for many pensioners) is £200 per household
- If someone in the household is 80 or over, the amount is £300
- In Scotland, under the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, the amount is between £101.70 and £305.10 depending on circumstances.
When Will It Be Paid?
- Most payments are made automatically in November or December.
- Recipients should receive a letter in October or November telling you how much they will get and which bank account it’s to be paid into (usually the same bank account as the recipient’s State Pension or benefit payments)
- If the recipient hasn’t received the payment or letter by the end of January (of the following year), they should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
Differences Across the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
| Area | Programme/Payment | Key Differences from England/Wales | Notes |
| England and Wales | Winter Fuel Payment reinstated for those ≤ £35,000 income, with clawback over threshold | Same rules apply in both England & Wales under central UK Government scheme | Recipients will be paid automatically if eligible. |
| Scotland | Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaces Winter Fuel Payment for Scottish pensioners | Amounts and eligibility are different; Scottish Government handles it | Many people will receive it automatically; some may need to claim it. |
| Northern Ireland | Still under the UK Winter Fuel Payment scheme | Same eligibility rules as England and Wales | Payable automatically; eligibility, amounts, and timing match UK scheme. |
Why has there been confusion?
A number of factors have contributed to the confusion around the 2025 Winter Fuel Payment. These include:
- Recent rule changes: The Winter Fuel Payment rules were narrowed in 2024 (paid only to those receiving certain benefits), then widened again in 2025 with an income cap.
- Clawback for higher incomes: The fact that those earning over £35,000 will have the payment reclaimed via HMRC makes it feel like a ‘means test’ again, which muddies the idea of ‘free’ payment.
- Scotland’s different scheme: People in Scotland must understand they no longer receive the UK’s Winter Fuel Payment; instead, they are eligible for a different payment.
- Timing and payments: People expect payments in November/December, but delays, missing letters, or misunderstandings about when to contact authorities if they haven’t got the money add to confusion.
- Scams and misinformation: There are reports of scammers sending fake messages claiming to be about Winter Fuel Payment, asking for personal or bank details. The government warns these are scams. Scam messages can be on social media, such as Facebook, and received as texts.
Further information
This article has been created with the help of the artificial intelligence tool ChatGTP.
If you would like further information, then the Which? Consumer service has very useful information on its website, including How to get support if you miss out on Winter Fuel Payment
The charity AgeUK offers a variety of advice articles on how the payment works, as well as saving energy in the home.
Photo by Benjamin Elliott on Unsplash