The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the full list of state pensioners eligible for the £300 Winter Fuel Payment, reinstated by the Labour Party government under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The payment will be issued as either £200 or £300 per household this winter.
Major eligibility change for Winter Fuel Payment
Two years ago, the Winter Fuel Allowance was restricted to those who claimed Pension Credit. However, the Labour Party government has now announced that claiming Pension Credit is no longer a requirement for receiving the payment in England and Wales. Instead, the payment of up to £300 per household will be made automatically to all pensioners. If yearly taxable earnings exceed £35,000, most of the money will be recovered by HMRC. Those with yearly taxable earnings of £35,000 or less will keep the full payment.
It is estimated that around three quarters of all pensioners will now receive and retain the tax-free payment this winter under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Who is eligible for the payment
Individuals born on or before June 27 1960 could be eligible for up to £300. Eligible recipients will receive a letter in October or November detailing the amount they will receive, which ranges between £100 and £300. However, people are not eligible if they usually live outside Wales, England or Northern Ireland, or if they were in hospital receiving free treatment for the whole week of 21 to 27 September 2026 and the year before that. Additionally, those who need permission to enter the UK and whose granted leave states they cannot claim public funds, or those who were in prison for the whole week of 21 to 27 September 2026, are not eligible.
Payment amounts for different circumstances
For those living alone or with no one else eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, the amounts are as follows: £200 if born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960, or £300 if born before September 28 1946. For those living with someone else who is eligible, the payment may vary depending on whether they receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
If neither individual receives those benefits, the payment amounts are: £100 if both were born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960; £100 if one was born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960 and the other before September 28 1946; £200 if one was born before September 28 1946 and the other between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960; and £150 if both were born before September 28 1946.
For couples who jointly claim any of the benefits, one will receive a payment into the same bank account as their benefits: £200 if both were born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960, or £300 if one or both were born before September 28 1946. For individuals receiving any of those benefits, the payment is £200 if born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960, or £300 if born before September 28 1946. For those living in a care home and eligible, the payment is £100 if born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960, or £150 if born before September 28 1946.
