The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that four groups of individuals will not receive the winter fuel payment, even if they were born before the cut-off date.
The announcement comes after a major U-turn by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who reinstated the scheme in June 2025 for the winter 2025/26 period.
The payment had been scrapped the previous year, leaving many pensioners struggling to afford heating through the coldest months.
Eligibility has now been restored to most pensioners over state pension age with an income of £35,000 a year or less, reversing the restriction that limited payments only to those on Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits.
While this change means around nine million pensioners will once again receive the allowance, the DWP has confirmed that four groups remain excluded despite meeting the age rule.
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People will not be eligible if they:
- Live outside England and Wales.
- Those who were in hospital receiving free treatment for the whole week of 15 to 21 September 2025, and during the same week the year before.
- Individuals who require permission to enter the UK and whose visa states they cannot claim public funds.
- Those who were in prison for the whole week of 15 to 21 September 2025.
Pensioners living in a care home can still receive the Winter Fuel Payment. However, they will not be eligible if two conditions apply:
1 They receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and
2 they have been living in a care home continuously since 23 June 2025 or earlier.
You may not be eligible for the winter fuel payment even if you're the right age
| GETTYWho is eligible for winter fuel payments?
Britons can get Winter Fuel Payment if they were born before 22 September 1959 and live in England or Wales.
Eligible pensioners will receive a letter in October or November confirming how much Winter Fuel Payment they will get. Those who do not receive a letter but believe they are eligible are advised to check whether they need to make a claim.
The amount awarded depends on when the person was born and their circumstances during the ‘qualifying week’, which falls between 15 and 21 September 2025. Any payment received will not affect entitlement to other benefits.
Reeves has defended the U-turn, stating that the changes were necessary to plug the £22billion black hole
|GETTY
Pensioners with an income of more than £35,000 will still receive the Winter Fuel Payment, but HMRC will take it back through the tax system.
This will be done either by adjusting their tax code for the 2026/27 tax year or by adding the amount to their 2025/26 Self Assessment return.
Individuals can check whether they are over the threshold and how HMRC will reclaim the payment.
For those living alone, or in a household where no one else qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment, the amount depends on their age. Pensioners born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959 will receive £200, while those born before 22 September 1945 will receive £300.
The Government has estimated that the Winter Fuel Payment system it inherited in 2024/25 would have cost £1.9billion
| PAThe Government has estimated that the Winter Fuel Payment system it inherited in 2024/25 would have cost £1.9billion.
Following the latest changes, ministers say the bill will now fall to £1.25billion - a saving of £450million compared with a scheme where all pensioners received the payment.
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Labour’s original decision to scrap the allowance was blamed by the Prime Minister on a £22billion hole in the public finances left by the previous Conservative government.
The winter fuel payment is designed to help senior citizens pay their heating bills during the winter. Those born before 22 September 1959 could get between £100 and £300 to help pay for winter 2025 to 2026 energy costs.
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible, and can opt out of getting it if they wish not to receive it. Those eligible will receive a letter in October or November outlining their payment details, with most payments made in November or December 2025.