Eligibility changed in winter 2024/25 — read this first
From winter 2024/25, Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales is restricted to people receiving Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits. Previously, it was paid to all households with someone over the qualifying age regardless of income.
If you received Winter Fuel Payment before 2024/25 but did not receive it this year, the most likely reason is that neither person in your household is receiving a qualifying benefit. Verify the current eligibility criteria at GOV.UK, as the rules have been subject to challenge and may have been updated since this page was last reviewed.
What Winter Fuel Payment is
Winter Fuel Payment is an annual lump sum paid by the DWP to help older people with their heating bills. It is paid once per household per winter season and does not need to be applied for by most eligible people.
The payment is not a repayable loan, not means-tested in the traditional sense (in Scotland — see below), and not based on how much fuel you actually use. It is a flat payment based on age and benefit status.
Eligibility in England and Wales
To receive Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales, you must:
- Be born on or before a qualifying date (this date shifts each year — verify the current date at GOV.UK)
- Be receiving at least one of the following qualifying benefits: Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, or Child Tax Credit / Working Tax Credit
Verify the complete and current list of qualifying benefits at GOV.UK before drawing any conclusions about eligibility. The list has been subject to review and may have been updated.
If you are not receiving any of these benefits but think you might be eligible for Pension Credit, it is worth checking. Claiming Pension Credit would restore your eligibility for Winter Fuel Payment.
Pension Credit could restore your eligibility
Pension Credit is one of the most underclaimed benefits in the UK. If you are over State Pension age and on a low income, it is worth checking whether you qualify. Receiving Pension Credit would make you eligible for Winter Fuel Payment, as well as unlocking other entitlements.
Use the Pension Credit calculator at GOV.UK to check. Many people assume they will not qualify but are surprised by the result.
Scotland
Scotland has its own rules. The Scottish Government continues to pay Winter Heating Payment to all eligible older people regardless of whether they receive Pension Credit or another means-tested benefit. The qualifying age and rules differ from England and Wales.
If you are in Scotland, check mygov.scot for the current Scottish rules. This page does not cover devolved Scottish entitlements in detail.
How much Winter Fuel Payment pays
The payment amount varies depending on your age and circumstances. Do not rely on figures quoted on any page that does not specify when they were accurate — the amounts change periodically.
Check GOV.UK for the current amounts.
How it's paid
You do not usually need to apply for Winter Fuel Payment. If you are eligible and already receiving a qualifying benefit, the payment is made automatically. It is usually paid in November or December.
If you think you should have received it and did not, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. The contact details are on GOV.UK.
The payment goes to the person receiving the qualifying benefit. If two people in the household are both receiving qualifying benefits and both of the required age, they may each receive a payment.
Cold Weather Payment is a separate scheme
Cold Weather Payment is different from Winter Fuel Payment. It is paid when the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for 7 consecutive days. It is means-tested and paid automatically to people receiving certain benefits. It is separate from Winter Fuel Payment — receiving one does not affect the other.
We'll let you know if Winter Fuel Payment eligibility rules change again.
Common questions about Winter Fuel Payment
Do I have to apply for Winter Fuel Payment?▾
No, in most cases. If you are eligible and already receiving a qualifying benefit, the payment is made automatically each winter. You do not fill in a form. If you believe you should have received it and did not, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre (details on GOV.UK) to query it.
I didn't receive it this year but did before — why?▾
The most likely reason is that you are not currently receiving a qualifying means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit. The rules changed in winter 2024/25. If neither person in your household receives one of the qualifying benefits, you will not receive Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales. Verify the current qualifying benefit list at GOV.UK to confirm your situation.
Are Scotland and Wales the same?▾
Scotland has a different approach: the Scottish Government pays Winter Heating Payment to eligible older people regardless of Pension Credit status. Wales follows the England rules for Winter Fuel Payment from the DWP. If you are in Scotland, check mygov.scot. If you are in Wales, the same DWP eligibility rules apply as in England.
Does Winter Fuel Payment affect other benefits?▾
No. It is not counted as income for means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Receiving it does not reduce your entitlement to other support.
What if I go abroad for the winter?▾
You may still be eligible if you spend part of the winter abroad, provided the UK is your main home and you were ordinarily resident in the UK during the qualifying week. Verify the rules if you plan to spend an extended period outside the UK, as specific conditions apply to living abroad permanently or spending long periods away.
What happens if my partner dies?▾
If your partner was the one receiving the qualifying benefit and they have died, your own eligibility may change. Contact the DWP to update your situation. You may also want to check whether you now qualify for Pension Credit as a single person if you did not before.
What's the difference between Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment?▾
Winter Fuel Payment is an annual lump sum based on age and benefit status. Cold Weather Payment is a smaller payment triggered when the temperature drops to 0°C or below for 7 consecutive days in your area. They are entirely separate schemes with different eligibility criteria. Receiving one does not affect the other. Cold Weather Payment is means-tested and applies to people of working age on qualifying benefits as well as to older people.
How do I check if I'm eligible?▾
Check the current eligibility criteria at GOV.UK. The qualifying age shifts each year and the list of qualifying benefits may have been updated since this page was last reviewed. If you are uncertain whether you receive a qualifying benefit, look at your benefit letters or check your DWP account online.