Overview

• About nine million people born before 22 September 1959 are due £100–£300 depending on age and household circumstances.
• Eligibility is fixed by the qualifying week of 15–21 September 2025 and living in England or Wales, with Scotland running a devolved pension‑age scheme.
• Those over the £35,000 taxable income threshold will have the payment reclaimed via PAYE tax‑code changes or Self Assessment, and an opt‑out option is planned.
• Care‑home rules exclude residents on certain means‑tested benefits who lived there continuously since 23 June 2025, though others in care homes can qualify.
• Most payments will arrive in November–December 2025; first‑time or deferred pensioners can claim by post now or by phone from 13 October until 31 March 2026, with related support including the £150 Warm Home Discount and automatic Cold Weather Payments.