DWP set to pay nine million Brits up to £300 this winter – check eligibility | Retirement | Finance
Millions of Brits will be eligible for a cash top-up of up to £300 this winter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This money is available to those born before a certain date and with a specific income.
The DWP has verified that the qualifying period for the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment will be from 15-21 September, with automatic issuance to individuals in England and Wales born prior to 22 September, 1959. Approximately nine million pensioners are set to receive either £200 or £300 to assist with increased energy bills during the chillier months.
The payment is intended to support older individuals with an annual income below £35,000, however, those earning more can opt out of receiving the payment, or repay it via the Self-Assessment tax return process through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
These payments will be issued automatically, eliminating the need for anyone to claim it.
And as reported by the Daily Record, despite the replacement of Winter Fuel Payments by Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland, Scottish pensioners will also benefit from this policy change.
First Minister John Swinney confirmed on Monday that Scottish pensioners will not receive less than what they would under the new UK Government’s Winter Fuel Payment scheme. He stated that further details of the Winter Fuel Payment scheme will be announced in due course and that “the Scottish Government will always seek what is best for Scotland’s pensioners”.
The Scottish Government has committed to providing at least £100 to all 1.1 million pensioners in Scotland on St Andrew’s Day, November 30. In more detail, individuals aged between 66 and 79 on a qualifying means-tested benefit like Pension Credit are set to receive £203.40, whilst those aged 80 and over on such benefits will be entitled to £305.10.
It now appears that every pensioner household can expect to receive a minimum of £200.
In addition, the DWP has issued a stark warning to the elderly community regarding fraudulent tactics, advising them to be vigilant against false claims for the annual heating payment coming via text messages, emails, and social media posts.
It emphasised: “If you receive a text about ‘Winter Fuel Payment‘ it is a scam. Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, you do not need to do anything.”
As we await the full details on this year’s Winter Fuel Payment expected by the end of June, here’s an outline of what we know regarding eligibility.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, individuals must be of State Pension age during the qualifying week—the third full week of September. For the winter of 2025/26, this would be from September 15 to 21, 2025.
This means that to qualify, a person must be born on or before September 22, 1959.
Winter Fuel Payments are valued at £200 per household for those aged 66 to 79, or £300 per household where there is someone aged 80 or over. Pensioners not on an income-related benefit such as Pension Credit receive shared payments.
Pensioners with income exceeding £35,000
The payment will be reclaimed from individuals via HMRC based on their individual taxable incomes. For the vast majority, it will be recovered via PAYE, or in their Self-Assessment tax return for those who file and pay their taxes in this manner.
The recovery process will be made as straightforward as possible with clear guidance for taxpayers.
For those who wish to opt out of receiving the Winter Fuel Payment, DWP will create a simple system to allow them to do so, eliminating the need for HMRC to reclaim the payment. Further details on this will be announced this month.
For more information, visit gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment.
