The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 were revoked in England and Wales with effect from 15 September 2025 by the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/969)1. The 2025 Regulations were made at 8.45 a.m. on 22 August 2025, laid before Parliament the same day, and come into force on 15 September 20252. They extend to England and Wales only2.
The 2024 Regulations had come into force on 16 September 2024 and restricted payments to pensioners entitled to a qualifying means-tested benefit or tax credit, with a £300 rate for those aged 80 or over and £200 otherwise1. The 2025 Regulations make provision for an annual Winter Fuel Payment to pensioner households in England and Wales from winter 2025/263. The qualifying week is the week beginning on the third Monday in September, which for winter 2025/26 is 15 to 21 September 20253.
The Department for Work and Pensions says the change increases the numbers entitled from 1.5 million to 10.9 million, with around 2 million payments recovered through the tax system from those not receiving a relevant means-tested benefit and with taxable income over £35,000, leaving around 9 million pensioners as net beneficiaries3. The tax recovery provisions are to be included in a Finance Bill introduced in Autumn 20253. Payments in the EEA and Switzerland expired on 1 April 2025, and Winter Fuel Payments will not be made outside the United Kingdom3.
Amounts for England and Wales under the 2025 Regulations3:
| Household circumstances | Amount |
|---|---|
| Single person living alone, State Pension age to 79 | £200 |
| Single person living alone, aged 80 or over | £300 |
| More than one eligible person, no relevant means-tested benefit, each aged State Pension age to 79 | £100 |
| More than one eligible person, no relevant means-tested benefit, only person aged 80 or over | £200 |
| More than one eligible person, no relevant means-tested benefit, aged 80 or over with others aged 80 or over | £150 |
| Permanently in residential care, State Pension age to 79 | £100 |
| Permanently in residential care, aged 80 or over | £150 |
| Couple on a relevant means-tested benefit, both under 80 | £200 |
| Couple on a relevant means-tested benefit, either or both 80 or over | £300 |
A person is not entitled if they are the partner of, and living with, someone receiving a relevant means-tested benefit in the qualifying week; in hospital receiving free treatment for the whole qualifying week and for more than 52 weeks immediately before it; in prison serving a sentence for the whole qualifying week; or in residential care permanently and receiving a relevant means-tested benefit3. Claims may be made up to 31 March following the qualifying week3.
"These Regulations put into effect the first part of that policy by making Winter Fuel Payments universal, increasing the numbers entitled from 1.5 million to 10.9 million."
Northern Ireland has separate regulations, the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025, made on 22 August 2025 and coming into operation on 15 September 20254. The Department for Communities announced on 10 June 2025 that the level of the means test would be increased, with payments recovered through the tax system from those not receiving relevant means-tested benefits and with taxable income over £35,0005. The explanatory memorandum states this increases the numbers entitled in Northern Ireland to approximately 336,000, with around 48,000 payments recovered and around 288,000 pensioners net beneficiaries5. Amounts differ from England and Wales in shared households: each eligible person receives £100 if aged State Pension age to 79, £200 if the only person aged 80 or over, or £150 if aged 80 or over with others of that age5.
Why it matters for households
For winter 2025/26, entitlement in England and Wales no longer depends on receiving Pension Credit or another qualifying benefit, so pensioner households that received nothing in winter 2024/25 may receive a payment. The amount depends on age, who else is in the household and whether a relevant means-tested benefit is in payment. Payments are expected from November 2025, with letters issued after the qualifying week and before payment3. Pensioners whose taxable income exceeds £35,000 and who do not receive a relevant means-tested benefit are to have the payment recovered through the tax system, under provisions not yet in force3. Those who do not want an automatic payment can opt out via the Winter Fuel Payment Centre helpline or an online form3. In Northern Ireland the same recovery threshold applies, and payments will not be made outside the United Kingdom5. Scotland operates a separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, and residence on the last day of the qualifying week determines which administration pays3.
What happens next
The tax recovery provisions are to be included in a Finance Bill introduced to the UK Parliament in Autumn 20255. Claims for winter 2025/26 may be made up to 31 March 20263.
Sources5 cited
- The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 legislation.gov.uk
- The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2025 legislation.gov.uk
- The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2025 legislation.gov.uk
- The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 legislation.gov.uk
- The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 legislation.gov.uk
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