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DWP

Winter Fuel Payment

Annual tax-free payment from the DWP towards heating costs for people over State Pension age, reformed in 2025 so it is paid to all but recovered through the tax system above a set income threshold.

Headline rate£150warm home discount (yearly)
Written by Due to You Editorial
Reviewed by D2Y Editorial Team
Last updated (2026-04-20)
Sourced from: GOV.UK

Overview

Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for people of State Pension age to help with winter heating costs. Following reforms announced for the 2025–26 winter, the payment is once again made to all people over State Pension age by default. Where the recipient's individual taxable income in the tax year exceeds a set threshold (currently £35,000), HMRC recovers the payment through the PAYE or Self Assessment tax system — so higher-income pensioners receive the payment initially but are effectively repaid through tax. The amount depends on the claimant's age and household circumstances during a qualifying week in September. The payment applies in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; in Scotland, it has been replaced by Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland. Most recipients receive the payment automatically if they are already known to the DWP through State Pension or other benefit records, but some people — including those not in receipt of State Pension or those living abroad in certain circumstances — may need to make a claim. Individual eligibility is determined by the DWP. This page references criteria from the primary GOV.UK source; the authoritative source for any individual award remains the DWP.

Applies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Administered by DWP. This page is general information; contact DWP for your individual circumstances.

Rates

RateAmountPeriodSource
Warm Home Discount£150YEARLY[GOV.UK]
Winter Fuel Payment (range)£100YEARLY[GOV.UK]

Eligibility criteria include

  • AGE
    You must have been born on or before 27 June 1960 to be eligible. [GOV.UK]
  • RESIDENCE
    You must live in England or Wales. People in Scotland cannot get Winter Fuel Payment. People in Northern Ireland may be eligible under a separate scheme. [GOV.UK]
  • RESIDENCE
    You will not be eligible if you live outside England and Wales. [GOV.UK]
  • IMMIGRATION
    You will not be eligible if you need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds. [GOV.UK]
  • HOUSEHOLD
    You will not be eligible if you were in hospital receiving free treatment for the whole of the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026 and the year before that. [GOV.UK]
  • OTHER
    You will not be eligible if you were in prison for the whole of the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026. [GOV.UK]
  • HOUSING STATUS
    You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home, unless both of the following apply: you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), AND you lived in a care home for the whole time from 29 June 2026 or earlier. [GOV.UK]
  • INCOME
    If your total income is over £35,000, HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back. Your partner's income does not count towards your total. [GOV.UK]

Sources