Winter Fuel Payment 2025-26 income cap, 300 for over-80s, 200 younger

The Department for Work and Pensions will send letters in October and November to pensioner households eligible for this winter’s Winter Fuel Payment, an annual tax free boost to help with heating costs worth up to 300. Most payments will be made automatically into bank accounts in November or December, and the department says all payments should be completed by the end of January, with a claims deadline for winter 2025 to 2026 of March 31, 2026.

For winter 2025 to 2026, households where someone is aged 80 or over will receive 300 and younger pensioner households will receive 200, provided they meet other eligibility conditions. Recipients are generally those who reached State Pension age by the qualifying week of September 15 to 21, 2025, meaning people born on or before September 22, 1959 will qualify. Payments are automatic for people receiving the State Pension or specified benefits; others who believe they are eligible must claim. If a payment has not arrived by January 28, 2026, the department advises contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.

A key change for this year is an income-related cap: households with taxable income of 35,000 or more will...