The Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 will be given to people who meet these criteria:

• They must have reached State Pension age by the qualifying week, which is from September 15 to 21, 2025.
• They must live in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week.
• Their income must be £35,000 a year or below to receive the payment without automatic clawback via the tax system.
• People aged 80 or over will receive £300, and those between State Pension age and 79 will receive £200 if living alone.
• For households with multiple qualifying people, the payment is shared (e.g., two people under 80 get £100 each).
• Pensioners earning over £35,000 may have the payment reclaimed through PAYE or Self-Assessment.

Additional eligibility notes:

• Those living in Scotland do not get the Winter Fuel Payment but may be eligible for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
• People receiving Pension Credit or certain means-tested benefits are also included.
• People in hospital or prison for the whole qualifying week and those who need permission to enter the UK without public funds access are not eligible.

No application is needed as payments will be automatic for those eligible, and letters notifying payment details will be sent around October or November 2025.