Are you eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment in 2025?

One of the most unpopular decisions since the Labour government came into power was made public in July 2024. Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that Winter Fuel Payment would in future only be given to those in receipt of Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits. The result of this was to remove the benefit from around 10 million pensioners during the winter of 2024/2025. 

There was much opposition to this change, including from unions, charities and within the Labour party itself. And in June 2025, the rules changed again. But what are they? Who is now eligible for Winter Fuel Payment? And how much will they get, and when?

In this article we provide all the information you need to know about Winter Fuel Payment 2025.

What is Winter Fuel Payment?

Winter Fuel Payment was originally introduced by Gordon Brown in 1997. It was a universal benefit for all pensioners over 60, to help with the additional costs of heating homes over winter. The Winter Fuel Payment was £20 per year, regardless of age or circumstances.

There have been various changes to Winter Fuel Payment since then. Before the 2024 changes, it was paid to everyone of State Pension age and was worth £200 to £300 depending on circumstances, with all those over 80 getting the higher amount. 

Who is eligible for Winter Fuel Payment in 2025?

In June 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced further changes to the Winter Fuel Payment. For the winter of 2025/2026, all those of State Pension age will receive the Winter Fuel Payment. However, if a recipient has a taxable income of over £35,000 a year, the payment will be reclaimed automatically by HMRC through either PAYE or your Self Assessment tax return.

If you are eligible for Winter Fuel Payment and receive State Pension it should happen automatically. You should not need to apply for it. 

However, if you do not receive a State Pension you may need to apply for Winter Fuel Payment, particularly if you have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before. You can apply by post or by phone, as follows:

• By post

From 15th September you can fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form and send it to:

Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1LR

• By phone

From 13th October you can call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 or use their Email enquiry form to submit your details.

Winter Fuel Payment also depends on your circumstances between 15 to 21 September 2025, known as “qualifying week”. If any of the following circumstances apply during qualifying week, you will NOT receive Winter Fuel Payment:

• You are living outside England or Wales;
• You were being treated in hospital for the whole of qualifying week and the year before that;
• You need permission to enter the UK and to claim public funds;
• You were in prison for the whole of qualifying week.

How much is Winter Fuel Payment?

Winter Fuel Payment is either £200 or £300 per household depending on when you were born. 

In general you will receive:

• £200 if you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959;
• £300 if you were born before 22 September 1945.

If you live with someone else who’s eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, either only one of you will receive the money or it will be split between you. You can find out further details about how this is done on the Gov UK Winter Fuel Payment page. 

The Winter Fuel Payment has no impact on any other benefits you may be receiving. It is a totally separate payment. 

The Winter Fuel Payment is also tax-free, although if your overall annual taxable income is above £35,000, the payment will be recovered by HMRC through either the PAYE system if you’re employed, or through Self Assessment if you’re self-employed and/or have other sources of income. 

When and how will Winter Fuel Payment be paid?

If you’re eligible for Winter Fuel Payment, you should receive a letter in October or November confirming how much you will be paid. If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to see if you need to make a claim.

Most Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically in November or December, and will be paid into the same account as your State Pension or other benefits.

If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre

If for any reason you would prefer not to receive the Winter Fuel Payment you can choose to opt out of getting all future Winter Fuel Payments by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 15 September 2025.

You can opt in again at any time by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, and would need to do this before 31 March 2026 to still get a payment for winter 2025-2026

We hope that the above information helps you to understand more about the Winter Fuel Payment, whether you are eligible, and when and how you will be paid.

Meanwhile, if you are in need of any financial help – for example an emergency loan to sort out issues in your home – remember that Loans 2 Go offer a range of personal loans which may be able to help.

For more useful financial and lifestyle tips, visit us here again soon at Loans 2 Go.