DWP Winter fuel payment 2025 update as key deadline days away

Some state pensioners are eligible for a winter fuel payment but if it hasn't arrived they need to take action
-Credit:Getty


Anyone who is eligible for a winter fuel payment is being warned about a key deadline coming up within days. The money, which can be between £2-300 towards key heating bills, is aimed at some of the poorest households in the country.

Last year chancellor Rachel Reeves sparked outrage by cutting the benefit for around 10 million pensioners to save money. The only people eligible are those on Pensions Credit - meaning they take in less than £11,400 a year.

There are an estimated 750,000 people eligible for pensions credit, which can be worth around £4,200 a year who currently don;'t claim it - and therefore would also be missing out on the winter fuel payment. Next Wednesday, January 29 is the deadline for when the £2-300 winter fuel payment should have landed in people's accounts from the Department for Work and Pensions.

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Most payments are made automatically in November or December. Before the payment, people should have received a letter telling them:

  • how much they'll get

  • which bank account it will be paid into - this is usually the same account as for Pension Credit or other benefits

If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 29 January 2025, people are told contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre by clicking here.

Eligibility

You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958. You must also live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and get one of the following:

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  • Pension Credit

  • Universal Credit

  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

  • Income Support

  • Child Tax Credit

  • Working Tax Credit

You’ll also need to have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024. In some circumstances, you might be eligible if you live abroad.

If you live alone

You’ll get either:

  • £200 if you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958

  • £300 if you were born before 23 September 1944

If you live with someone

If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:

  • £200 if one or both of you were born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958

  • £300 if one or both of you were born before 23 September 1944

A legal challenge is currently underway in Scotland over the decision to axe the payment for 10 million state pensioners. The Scottish challenge was brought by pensioners Florence and Peter Fanning, from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, who are represented by former SNP MP Joanna Cherry KC and Govan Law Centre.

The pensioners, who did not appear at the court on Wednesday, are seeking to reverse the decision announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to remove the universality of the payment. A second case backed by union Unite, is representing 11 petitioners in the English courts. Both are seeking to overturn the decision.