Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales will be made to all pensioners from winter 2025/26, under the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2025 laid before Parliament on 22 August 20251. The Department for Work and Pensions said the regulations were laid during Parliamentary recess "to ensure they are in force on the first day of the qualifying week, 15 September 2025"1. Letters notifying customers will be issued after the qualifying week and before payments are made from November 20251.
The qualifying week is the week beginning on the third Monday of September, which for winter 2025/26 is 15 to 21 September 20251. The regulations apply in England and Wales; winter heating assistance is devolved in Scotland and Winter Fuel Payments are a transferred benefit in Northern Ireland, with the place of residence on the last day of the qualifying week determining which payment is made1. Payments will not be made outside the United Kingdom, and the provisions for payments in the EEA and Switzerland expired on 1 April 20251.
The regulations make payments universal, increasing the numbers entitled from 1.5 million to 10.9 million1. Around 2 million payments will then be recovered through the tax system from those not in receipt of a relevant means-tested benefit and with a taxable income over £35,000, meaning around 9 million pensioners will be net beneficiaries1. The tax recovery provisions will be included in the Finance Bill to be introduced in Autumn 20251. The government announced the increase in the level of the means test on 9 June 20251.
Amounts depend on age, household composition and whether a relevant means-tested benefit is in payment1. A relevant means-tested benefit means Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support1.
| Circumstance | Payment |
|---|---|
| Single person living alone, State Pension age to 79 | £200 |
| Single person living alone, aged 80 or over | £300 |
| No means-tested benefit, more than one eligible person in household, each aged State Pension age to 79 | £100 each |
| No means-tested benefit, each aged 80 or over, only person aged 80 or over in household | £200 each |
| No means-tested benefit, aged 80 or over with others aged 80 or over in household | £150 each |
| Living permanently in residential care, State Pension age to 79 | £100 |
| Living permanently in residential care, aged 80 or over | £150 |
| Means-tested benefit in payment, couple both under 80 | £200 |
| Means-tested benefit in payment, either or both partners aged 80 or over | £300 |
Source: Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2025 explanatory memorandum1
A person is not entitled to a payment if they are the partner of, and living with, someone receiving a relevant means-tested benefit during the qualifying week; if they are in hospital receiving free treatment for the whole qualifying week and have been for more than 52 weeks immediately before it; if they are in prison serving a sentence for the whole qualifying week; if they are in residential care permanently and receiving a relevant means-tested benefit; or if they have not claimed by 31 March following the qualifying week, subject to exceptions1. Claims may be made up to 31 March following the qualifying week1. Those who do not wish to receive an automatic payment may opt out by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre helpline or using an online form on gov.uk1.
"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."
Why it matters for households
Pensioner households in England and Wales where nobody receives a means-tested benefit become entitled to a payment for winter 2025/26, having been excluded in 2024/25 when payments went only to those on a qualifying means-tested benefit or tax credit1. Entitlement depends on reaching State Pension age in or before the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and being ordinarily resident in England or Wales, meaning living there throughout the qualifying week and the 12 weeks immediately before it, disregarding temporary absences1. The amount received depends on age and who else is in the household, and where a means-tested benefit is in payment the payment goes to the lead claimant, or to the partner who has reached State Pension age where only one has1. For those with a taxable income over £35,000 who are not on a relevant means-tested benefit, the payment is recovered through the tax system, so the net position differs from the headline amount1. Pensioners living in Scotland or Northern Ireland receive their winter heating support through the devolved or transferred arrangements instead1. More detail on eligibility and the income threshold is in the guide to Winter Fuel Payment, and the benefits hub covers related support.
What happens next
Notification letters will be issued after the qualifying week and before payments begin in November 20251. The tax recovery provisions will be included in the Finance Bill to be introduced in Autumn 20251. Claims can be made up to 31 March following the qualifying week1.
Sources1 cited
- The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2025 legislation.gov.uk
Turn2usFree benefits calculator and grants search from a charity
Citizens AdviceFree advice on money, consumer and legal problems in England and Wales
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