Overview
- Letters are going out and most eligible people will be paid automatically in November or December 2025, with payments based on being born before 22 September 1959.
- Recipients with taxable income above £35,000 will have their Winter Fuel Payment recovered later via PAYE tax‑code adjustments from April 2026 or through their 2025/26 Self Assessment return, with no need to register.
- Household awards are £200 where the oldest person is under 80 and £300 where someone is 80 or over, with splits that can mean £100 each for some couples or separate payments where both partners qualify via certain benefits.
- The Cold Weather Payment scheme has opened for 2025/26, paying £25 each time a local seven‑day average at or below 0°C is recorded or forecast in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; Scotland runs a separate Winter Heating Payment of about £59.75.
- The opt‑out deadline passed in mid‑September and those who did not opt out will still receive the payment; if letters or funds have not arrived by 28 January 2026, the DWP advises contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.