Winter Fuel Payment
Get up £300 to help with energy bills each winter
Winter Fuel Payments will be reinstated to all pensioners in in the UK this winter – but will be clawed back automatically from those earning over £35,000 a year. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up to help pay energy bills this year. We've full info below on who qualifies, when you can actually expect the cash to be paid, and how the payment will be reclaimed for those higher earners.
What is the Winter Fuel Payment?
The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free Government grant given to eligible pensioner households to help pay for heating costs over the winter months.
The scheme had previously given up to £300 each winter to ALL households with someone at state pension age. However, from winter 2024/25, it was restricted to those on Pension Credit or certain other benefits.
MSE founder Martin Lewis said at the time it was being squeezed to too narrow a group, and was particularly concerned eligibility was being linked to Pension Credit – a crucial gateway benefit that 800,000 eligible households don't claim.
Now the Government has confirmed the Winter Fuel Payment will be reinstated for all pensioners from this winter (2025/26), though those earning over £35,000 a year will have the payment reclaimed automatically, unless you opt out.
Watch: Martin Lewis explains how the payment will work for 2025/26
In this video Martin give his instant response to the Winter Fuel Payment news, plus his analysis of the new eligibility criteria.
Who qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment in 2025/26 and how much will you get?
The Winter Fuel Payment will be paid to everyone in England and Wales born before 22 September 1959 (we've info on the scheme in Northern Ireland and Scotland below) .
Households will get an automatic payment of either £200 per household, or £300 where there is someone over 80 in the household.
Yet if you earn over £35,000, the payment you get will be recovered through the tax system (if you're on Pension Credit, you'd be under this threshold anyway, so won't need to worry).
What you'll receive depends on who you live with
If you're a state pensioner living alone, it's straightforward – you get £200 if eligible and aged 79 or under, or £300 if 80 and above.
If there are two people in your household, it gets a bit more complicated:
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If both people in a home are 80 or over, the total will be split evenly, with each person getting £150 (£300 total)
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If one is 80 or over and the other under 80 (and eligible), the older person will get £200 and the under-80 will get £100 (£300 total).
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If both are under 80 and eligible, each will get £100 (£200 total).
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If only one person is eligible, that person will get £200 if under 80 or £300 if 80 or over.
This split largely only matters when it comes to clawing back the cash - for example, if one person in the household has an income of over £35,000 and the other doesn't, which means only the higher earner will have it taken back.
On Pension Credit? Your payments won't be split
If you get Pension Credit, your Winter Fuel Payment will paid in one lump sum, it won't be split by individual.
You can still qualify, as eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments is based on age. The Government says: "The Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 to 2026 will be made to everyone in England and Wales born before 22 September 1959, unless you choose not to get it." (Though, of course, if you earn over £35,000 a year, it'll be clawed back.)
This get's even more complicated, but we'll try and break it down.
Here, the amount you get depends firstly on your age and secondly on your income.
Next, the payments are means-tested based on each person's individual income – if it's over £35,000, the amount they were paid will be clawed back. But anyone whose income is under the threshold gets to keep their share.
First, here's the amount you'll be paid...
If NOT claiming Pension Credit:
- Each individual is paid at least £100 each – this increases to £150 or £200 based on the ages of other people in the household (regardless of whether those other people claim Pension Credit or not).
- If all are aged 66 to 79, each person is paid the £100 starting amount.
- If ONE person is aged 80+ and the rest are 66 to 79, the person aged 80+ is paid £200 and the rest are paid £100 each.
- If more than one person is aged 80+, each of them is paid £150 (and anyone aged 66 to 79 is paid £100 each).
If claiming Pension Credit:
- Each couple is paid a total of £200, or £300 if at least one of them is aged 80+.
- Each individual is paid £200 or £300 if aged 80+.
For example:
- A couple on Pension Credit, both aged 66 to 79, is paid £200. They live with a parent aged 80+, also on Pension Credit, who is paid £300. The household is paid £500 in total.
- Three sisters, all on Pension Credit, all aged 66 to 79. Each is paid £200. The household is paid £600 in total.
If there is a mixture of Pension Credit claimants and non-claimants:
- Those claiming Pension Credit are paid in line with the entitlements above.
- Those not claiming Pension Credit are paid at least £100 each (£150 if they're 80+ and there are other 80+ people in the household, £200 if they're the only person 80+ in the household).
For example:
- A couple aged 66 to 79 on Pension Credit is paid £200. They live with a parent aged 80+ not on Pension Credit, who is also paid £200. The household is paid £400 in total.
- Three sisters, all aged 66 to 79. One is on Pension Credit, so is paid £200. The others are not, so they're paid £100 each. The household is paid £400 in total.
- Three sisters. One is aged 80+ and on Pension Credit, so is paid £300. Another is 80+ but not on Pension Credit, so is paid £150 (because she's not the only 80+ person in the house). One is 66 to 79 and also not on Pension Credit, so is paid £100. The household is paid £550 in total.
- Three sisters, all aged 80+. One is on Pension credit, so is paid £300. The other two aren't on Pension Credit, so they're paid £150 each. The household is paid £600 in total.
What if I've deferred taking my State Pension?
What if there are three or more state pensioners living together?
How will the Winter Fuel Payment be clawed back for those earning £35,000+?
The payments will be means-tested based on each person's individual income – if it's over £35,000, the amount they get will be clawed back.
So, for example, in a household of mixed ages, if a person aged 80 or over earns more than £35,000, they will have to pay back the £200 they'd have received. If the pensioner aged under 80 earns under £35,000, they will keep their £100. So the net benefit to the household would be £100.
For most, this will happen automatically through pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) through a change to your tax code for 2026/27. If you file a self-assessment tax return (for example, because you're self-employed or have a high income), then it will be clawed back that way. It will be included on your 2025/26 return.
Crucially, the Government says that "no one will need to register with HMRC for this or take any further action".
What counts as 'income' for the £35,000 a year threshold?
The Government says the means test will be based on your 'taxable income' – in other words, all of your earnings that are subject to income tax.
This isn't straightforward to define exactly, but it DOES include earnings from:
- Private pensions;
- The State Pension;
- Employment or self-employment;
- Non-ISA savings interest; and
- Any other sources subject to income tax.
It DOESN'T include:
- Savings or investment income within ISAs;
- Capital Gains;
- The Winter Fuel Payment itself; or
- Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, or any other tax-free state benefits.
You can check if your income is over the threshold and how HMRC will claw it back.
The personal savings allowance (PSA) lets you earn interest on your savings without paying tax on that interest. Basic-rate (20%) taxpayers can earn £1,000 in savings interest per year with no tax, while higher-rate (40%) taxpayers can earn £500 in savings interest per year with no tax (additional-rate taxpayers don't get an allowance).
However, even though you pay zero tax on interest within your PSA, it's still technically considered taxable income – so it would count for determining whether your overall income is under the £35,000 threshold.
I'm earning interest on savings outside an ISA. The interest is within my personal savings allowance – will this count as income?
You can opt out of the payment - but the deadline for this winter has now passed
If you know your income will be above the £35,000 a year threshold, you can opt out of getting the payment (to avoid having it clawed back later).
To opt out, you need to call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 or complete the online opt out form. You'll need your National Insurance number. The deadline for this winter's payment was 15 September. If you didn't opt out in time, and earn pver £35,000 a year, you'll have your Winter Fuel Payment clawed back through your PAYE or tax self-assessment. Once you have opted out, you won't receive any future Winter Fuel Payments unless you opt back in.
If you opt out and your circumstances change, you'll be able to opt back in by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 31 March 2026.
The payment is automatic, you don't need to do anything to get it – beware of scams
One of the benefits of the new system is all State Pensioner households will be paid it automatically. For the vast majority, there is no need to apply to claim it.
Yet sadly scam texts and on social media, and likely email too, have already started to spring up with links or phone numbers trying to get people to claim. If you see one of these it is a scam. Do not reply.
When will I get the Winter Fuel Payment for 2025/26 and how will it be paid?
Payments are usually made in November or December.
If you're on the state pension or in receipt of another benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions then you should receive it automatically, paid in the same way as the other benefit you receive.
If you've not had the Winter Fuel Payment before and don't get any benefits or you've deferred your state pension, then you may need to claim it. You can make a claim by completing the Winter Fuel Payment claim form from 15 September, and posting to:
Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1LR
Alternatively you can claim by phone from 13 October 2025 by calling the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
What about Northern Ireland and Scotland?
The Winter Fuel Payment has previously been available to those in Northern Ireland and Scotland, and will continue to be the case for winter 2025/26.
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In Northern Ireland? Communities minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed that pensioners in Northern Ireland will receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year, in line with the new criteria in England and Wales. If you wish to opt out of the payment, you need to call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 or complete the online opt out form. You'll need your National Insurance number. The deadline for this winter's payment was 15 September.
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In Scotland? The Scottish Government has confirmed that all pensioners in Scotland will get the Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though it's now called the 'Pension Age Winter Heating Payment' in Scotland. Those earning more than £35,000 a year will have it clawed back through the tax system, to "mirror the approach taken by the UK Government". Scottish Pensioners under 80 will receive £101.70 or £203.40 if eligible (the amount will depend on if you live alone or with someone else), or £305.10 if 80 or over (per household). This will replace the previous Winter Fuel Payments and will be paid by Social Security Scotland from November.
To opt out of all future Pension Age Winter Heating Payments, you need to complete the online opt out form. You'll need your National Insurance number to complete the form. The deadline to opt out of this winter's payment was 10 October.
If your circumstances change and you want to opt back in again, you'll need to call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
What other help is available with heating costs?
If you are worried about paying your bills, there are a few areas to focus on...
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Got all the help you're entitled to? Our What to do if you're struggling to pay your energy bills guide covers everything you can do and where to get help from the Government and your energy supplier.
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See if you can save by switching to a cheap fixed deal. Do a whole-of-market comparison via our Cheap Energy Club to see if you can save by switching off the Energy Price Cap and on to a cheap fixed deal.
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Try to cut your energy usage. There are lots of ways to easily reduce what you use. See our Energy saving tips, plus the Energy mythbusters guide for less clear-cut issues, and our Heat the human guide.
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