DWP Reopens Seasonal Benefits to Ease Winter Heating Costs

The Department for Work and Pensions will reopen three seasonal benefit schemes from November to help households with rising winter energy costs, the department said, with most regular monthly payments expected to run on schedule because there are no bank holidays that month. The revived measures include the Winter Fuel Payment, the Warm Home Discount and the Cold Weather Payment, which together aim to provide one-off and conditional support to eligible pensioners and households in cold areas between November and March.

The Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off cash amount ranging from £100 to £300 for qualifying pensioners, the DWP said, with most eligible individuals receiving payments in November or December 2025. The department has indicated that more than nine million people born before September 22, 1959 will be eligible and that letters informing recipients of payment amounts will be sent in October and November. The Warm Home Discount scheme returns at the end of October and provides a £150 credit applied directly to electricity accounts for those who qualify. Most eligible households should receive this automatically, although people on low incomes in Scotland may need to...