Overview

• Pensioners with taxable incomes up to £35,000 qualify, and those above that level will receive the payment but must repay it unless they opt out by September 15.
• DWP will send letters in October or November showing the amount, most payments will arrive automatically in November or December, and missing payments can be claimed by March 31, 2026.
• Typical awards are £200 per household, rising to £300 where someone is aged over 80, with amounts based on the qualifying week of September 15–21, 2025 and household circumstances.
• Exclusions include living outside England and Wales, being in hospital or prison for the entire qualifying week, immigration status that bars public funds, and the high‑income repayment rule.
• Alongside the payment, the Warm Home Discount is expanding to cover more low‑income households, including all Universal Credit claimants, with a £150 bill credit applied between November and March, and officials warn of scams and stress they never request bank details by text or email.