Two million pensioners are at risk of losing their £300 Winter Fuel Payment due to new income eligibility rules introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). While the payment is intended for those born before September 22, 1959, individuals with an annual income exceeding £35,000 will be required to repay the funds.
The DWP will initially send the Winter Fuel Payment to eligible households. However, the amount will be reclaimed through the tax system, typically by adjusting tax codes for those in PAYE or through self-assessment tax returns for others. This income threshold applies to individual earnings, meaning that if one partner in a household earns over £35,000, they will have to repay their share of the payment, while their lower-earning partner may be able to keep theirs.
Winter Fuel Payments, which are usually sent in November or December, can be £200 or £300 for those aged over 80. The qualifying week for the 2025 payment was from September 15 to 21, 2025. While the deadline to opt out of receiving the payment was September 15, 2025, those who do not receive it automatically through certain benefits like Pension Credit or Universal Credit must claim it if they have not received it before or have deferred it.
Eligibility is also affected by specific circumstances. Individuals in hospital receiving free treatment for the entire qualifying week and the preceding year, or those in prison during the qualifying week, are not eligible. Additionally, those residing in a care home continuously from J... download the app to read more
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