Two specific groups of pensioners may need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure they receive their Winter Fuel Payment, despite the Government's promise of automatic payments for eligible recipients.
This week, it was announced that the eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments has been expanded, with approximately nine million pensioners now qualifying.
This represents more than three-quarters of all pensioners in England and Wales, a substantial increase from the 1.5 million who received payments during winter 2024-25.
The DWP has updated its guidance, confirming: "The Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 to 2026 will be made to everyone in England and Wales born before 22 September 1959, unless you choose not to get it.
"You could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter."
Everyone over the state pension age in England and Wales with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment this winter.
The DWP has confirmed that everyone else eligible for the payment will receive it automatically without needing to take any action.
However, there are two groups of pensioners who are urged to double check with the DWP that they will be able to receive their payment.
Winter Fuel Payment warning
GETTYThe BBC's Cost of Living correspondent, Colletta Smith, warned: "There will be a small number of people who might need to update their details.
"So if you have deferred your state pension or if you've lived abroad recently and have moved back, it's probably worth contacting the Government to make sure that you do get that payment. For everybody else, you won't have to apply for it."
These two groups - those who have deferred their state pension and those who have recently returned from living abroad - risk missing out on payments worth £200 or £300 per household.
An estimated 2 million pensioners with taxable incomes exceeding £35,000 will not qualify for the payment
PAThe £35,000 threshold sits well above poverty levels and aligns broadly with average earnings, according to Government sources.
An estimated 2 million pensioners with taxable incomes exceeding £35,000 will not qualify for the payment.
The payment system operates automatically for most eligible pensioners, with funds arriving in bank accounts from early November onwards without requiring any application forms.
Smith emphasised: "So like it used to. Previously you don't have to apply for it. It just pops into your bank accounts come the beginning of November onwards, so you don't have to worry about any complicated forms to fill in."
The DWP confirmed: "You do not need to do anything - payments will be made automatically."
However, those earning above £35,000 who receive the payment will face recovery action through HMRC, though the department has not yet clarified how this process will work.
The DWP stated: "If your income is over £35,000, your Winter Fuel Payment will be recovered later through HMRC. Details of the 2025 to 2026 payment will be available by the end of June 2025."
High earners may choose to opt out to avoid later recovery.
The shift from universal to means-tested Winter Fuel Payments marked one of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's first major decisions following Labour's election victory last year. The policy change has been widely cited as contributing to the party's subsequent decline in public support.
Pensioners can get the Winter Fuel Payment to help them with heating bills during the winter - but now it will be means-tested PAMinisters project the expanded scheme will cost taxpayers £1.25bn in England and Wales, delivering savings of approximately £450m compared to the previous universal system.
The Treasury has committed to incorporating these costs into the autumn budget and the next Office for Budget Responsibility forecast.
Officials have pledged that the additional expenditure will not result in permanent increases to government borrowing, though specific funding mechanisms remain unconfirmed.
The payment amounts remain unchanged at £200 per household, rising to £300 for households containing someone aged over 80.
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