The winter fuel payment will be paid automatically into accounts from tomorrow (November 1) – but there are five groups of people who will not be eligible
The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed the groups who will not be eligible for the winter fuel payment, despite meeting the primary age criteria. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has reinstated the payment for nine million pensioners this winter.
The DWP winter fuel payment provides between £200 and £300 depending on personal circumstances – and it will start being paid automatically into accounts from tomorrow (November 1). To qualify, individuals must be of a certain age and earn £35,000 or less in taxable income.
The DWP has announced that the winter fuel payment for 2025 to 2026 will be made to everyone in England and Wales born before September 22, 1959, reports Chronicle Live. Those who are eligible should get a letter in October or November informing them of the amount of Winter Fuel Payment they will receive.
However, there are five groups of people who will not be eligible, even if they were born in the UK and meet the cash and age criteria.
People will not be eligible if they:
- live outside England and Wales
- were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of September 15 to 21, 2025, and the year before that
- need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- were in prison for the whole of the week of September 15 to 21, 2025
- live in a care home
If your income is over £35,000:
HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either:
- changing your tax code for the 2026 to 2027 tax year
- adding the amount to your 2025 to 2026 Self Assessment tax return
Pensioners are being warned to watch out for winter fuel payment scams after a spike in referrals ahead of the money reaching people’s bank accounts from next month. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people not to engage with scam messages.
Data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has shown a 153 per cent surge in scam referrals during the last week of September, compared to the preceding week. Scammers are sending messages pretending to be government officials processing winter fuel payment applications. Although these fraudulent communications had begun to decrease after peaking in June, they are now on the rise again as payments are due to be made next month.
However, the Government has clarified that winter fuel payments are made automatically and it will never request bank details via text. It advises anyone who receives a text message inviting them to apply for a payment not to engage with it and instead forward it to 7726.
The DWP is increasing its social media campaign in collaboration with Action Fraud to raise awareness about these scams, while also working alongside charities.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden warned: “If you get a text message about winter fuel payments, it’s a scam. They will be made automatically so you do not need to apply.”
He added: “These despicable attempts by criminals to target people are on the rise. We are raising awareness to make it harder for fraudsters to succeed.”
He further advised: “If you receive a suspicious message about winter fuel payments, don’t engage – forward it to 7726 and delete it immediately.”
Winter fuel payments will be deposited directly into bank accounts automatically, with qualifying pensioners receiving correspondence in October or November detailing their payment amount. Disbursements are scheduled between mid-November and December 2025.
Additional winter support remains available to some pensioners through pension credit – worth an average of £4,300 annually for those on lower incomes. Pensioners requiring care may also apply for attendance allowance.
The Government had previously proposed limiting winter fuel payment eligibility, though this decision was subsequently reversed, with payments reinstated for the overwhelming majority of pensioners who had formerly qualified.
Anyone suspecting they have fallen victim to fraud should notify their bank and police immediately.
Rachel Vahey, head of public policy at AJ Bell, said: “Many pensioners may wonder if there is a requirement to submit new information to the Government because of the changes over the past year, but your payments will be made automatically, and you shouldn’t have to respond to text messages, emails or phone calls to make sure they are paid.”
Further details on winter fuel payment eligibility are available here.
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