Overview

• Letters started landing on 2 October for more than nine million households, with payments of £100–£300 due in November and December, typically £200 for those under 80 and £300 for those 80 or over.
• Eligibility is determined by circumstances in the qualifying week of 15–21 September 2025 and generally applies to people born before 22 September 1959, with most on State Pension, Pension Credit or Universal Credit paid automatically.
• People not paid automatically should submit a postal claim now or call from 13 October, and officials caution that genuine payments do not require sharing bank details in response to unsolicited messages.
• HMRC will recover the Winter Fuel Payment from recipients whose taxable income exceeds £35,000 through PAYE adjustments or Self Assessment.
• Cold Weather Payments of £25 are triggered for each seven‑day period at or below 0°C between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026, and Scotland operates a separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.