Overview

• Government proposals remove the ‘high energy costs’ test so nearly three million more low‑income households will automatically receive a £150 Warm Home Discount credit on their energy bills next winter.
• Around nine million pensioners in England and Wales will receive Winter Fuel Payments of £100–£300 if they were born before 22 September 1959 and met the qualifying week of 15–21 September 2025, with DWP letters going out in October and November.
• HMRC will reclaim Winter Fuel Payments from people with annual incomes over £35,000 through PAYE or self‑assessment, affecting about two million recipients, with typical PAYE deductions around £17 per month for a £200 payment and about £33 per month in 2027 when two years are collected.
• Some groups remain ineligible this year, including those in hospital or prison for the entire qualifying week, certain long‑term care‑home residents on income‑related benefits since 23 June 2025, and people barred from public funds; Scotland runs a separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
• A strict qualifying date means tens of thousands who reach state pension age after 21 September 2025 will miss this winter’s payment, as broader pressures continue with a scheduled rise in the state pension age from 2026 and evidence of income shortfalls for older pensioners.