Overview

• Payments of up to £300 will be made to around nine million pensioners from early November through December, with amounts based on age.
• Higher-income retirees face a new £35,000 annual income threshold, with HMRC set to reclaim Winter Fuel Payments from those who do not qualify and around four million not ultimately keeping the cash.
• Eligible people who are not paid automatically can claim by post from September 15 or by phone from October 13, with a deadline of March 31, 2026.
• Authorities warn of scam texts and emails; genuine claims are only made by phone or by posting the official GOV.UK form.
• Research indicates about 761,000 eligible pensioners are not claiming Pension Credit, which opens access to further support, and councils such as Islington are offering a separate £200 one-off payment to those on Pension Credit.