The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that nine million pensioners will receive Winter Fuel Payments worth between £100 and £300 this winter.
The payments will be automatically deposited into eligible recipients' bank accounts during November and December.
To qualify for the 2025-26 payments, individuals must have been born on or before September 22,1959.
The DWP will send letters in October and November detailing the exact payment amounts each household will receive.
Households could get up to £300
GETTYUpdated guidance on the Government website confirms that eligibility is determined by age and household circumstances during the qualifying week of September 15 to 21, 2025.
Recipients must reside in England or Wales to qualify for the payment.
Those living in Scotland will receive a separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead, distributed by Social Security Scotland on November 30.
Several circumstances disqualify individuals from receiving the payment.
These include being in hospital receiving free treatment for the entire qualifying week and the previous year, or being in prison during the qualifying week.
Those with immigration status restricting access to public funds are also ineligible.
Care home residents can receive payments unless they claim certain benefits and have lived in care continuously since June 23, 2025 or earlier.
Those with immigration status restricting access to public funds are also ineligible
GETTYPayment amounts vary based on age and living arrangements. Those living alone or with no other eligible recipients will receive £200 if born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959, or £300 if born before September 22, 1945.
When two eligible people share a household, payments differ.
Without qualifying benefits, each receives £100 if both were born in the later period, whilst those born before September 1945 receive £150 each.
The DWP guidance states: "If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 28, 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre."
PACouples jointly claiming benefits will see one partner receive either £200 or £300 depending on birth dates.
Those with incomes exceeding £35,000 will have their entire payment reclaimed through PAYE or Self Assessment.
Care home residents receive reduced rates of £100 or £150 depending on their age. The DWP guidance states: "If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 28, 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre."
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