Pensioners could get one-off payments of up to £374 in 2025 | Retirement | Finance
People over State Pension age could be due a series of extra payments and energy bill help during the new financial year. There are three potential cash payments you can receive from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), one of which is paid directly to energy suppliers.
People in England, Wales and Northern Ireland could get cash payments totalling £310. Those in Scotland could be eligible for as much as £374.86, the Daily Record reports.
A further £150 could be contributed by the Government to help pay for your electricity bill.
Most of these payments will not be issued until later this year.
However, these could be something to factor in now when working out household budgets over the coming months – especially as energy bills typically increase significantly over the colder months due to higher usage.
To qualify for the money, you will need to receive Pension Credit from the Government.
Nearly 1.4 million older people across Great Britain are currently receiving Pension Credit that could provide an average of £4,300 in extra support during the 2025/26 financial year.
Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, however, an award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support. You can use the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK to see if you can make a claim.
To do so you will need details of:
- Earnings, benefits and pensions
- Savings and investments.
Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Full details on GOV.UK here.
Financial help on the way during 2025/26 includes:
- Winter Fuel Payment (£100 – £300) – cash payments issued by DWP to pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- DWP Christmas Bonus (£10) – for eligible residents in the whole of the UK
- Warm Home Discount (£150) – paid directly from DWP to energy providers and usually added as credit to customer’s electricity account.
In Scotland you can apply for the following:
- Winter Heating Payment (£59.75)
- Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (£100 – £305)
- DWP Christmas Bonus (£10).
If you are aged between 66 and 79, living in Scotland and in receipt of Pension Credit you could get £203.40 from the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. This rises to £305.10 if you are over 80.
