This time of the year, millions of Britons look forward to seasonal benefit programmes that provide financial assistance with affording essentials such as heating in the winter. One of the returning programmes is the ever-popular Winter Fuel Payment. Unfortunately, there is some bad news from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), as five groups will lose out on the programme’s payments after the updated eligibility criteria have taken effect. Discover who will no longer be deemed eligible this year.
Bad news from the DWP about the Winter Fuel Payment
This winter, 9 million pensioners will be overjoyed to receive the reinstated Winter Fuel Payments, which officially started automatic distribution on 1 November 2025. Depending on their circumstances during the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September 2025, eligible pensioners can expect payments ranging from £200 to £300. Usually, you will be eligible if you meet the following criteria:
- Reside in England and Wales
- Born before 22 September 1959
- Earn £35,000 or less in taxable income
Unfortunately, there is some bad news from the DWP. Even if the previously mentioned criteria are met, five groups of people will no longer be eligible to receive Winter Fuel Payments this year. For anyone who once qualified but no longer meets the criteria, you will have to say goodbye to your money almost as soon as you receive it.
This will happen if you no longer meet the criteria
For anyone who no longer meets the eligibility criteria, you will still receive the payment, but you will lose the Winter Fuel Payment soon afterwards, as the HMRC will recover the amount through one of the following ways:
- Adding the owed amount to the 2025/2026 Self Assessment tax returns, or
- Changing tax codes for the 2025/2026 tax year
Before we announce the five groups losing out on payments this year, it is also important to note that there has been a significant increase in scam messages targeting pensioners expecting Winter Fuel Payments. The DWP has warned people not to engage with the scam messages and to please report them immediately. According to HMRC data, scam referrals increased by 153% during the last week of September compared to the week before.
Remember, these payments are automatically distributed, and the UK Government will never request your bank details by text message. Suspicious text messages requesting payment applications can be forwarded to 7726.
These 5 groups will lose out on the Winter Fuel Payment
The DWP has confirmed that anyone who meets one or more of the following factors will no longer be deemed eligible to receive Winter Fuel Payments:
- Residents outside England and Wales
- Anyone who received free hospital treatment during the entire qualifying week (15 to 21 September 2025) and the year before that
- Anyone requiring permission to enter the UK and whose granted leave indicates they cannot claim public funds
- Anyone who was in prison during the entire qualifying week
- Anyone living in a care home
If both of the following factors apply to you, you will also no longer be eligible to receive a payment:
- You lived in a care home the entire time from 23 June 2025, or earlier
- You receive either
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
If you are among the ineligible groups named by the DWP to lose out on Winter Fuel Payments, do not fret. There are other ways to earn additional money to help manage the seasonal increase in the cost of living. Several other benefit programmes are operating once again, as well as other non-governmental charity funds to help Britons stay warm during the colder winter months. You can learn more about these programmes by visiting the UK Government website for additional information and the latest updates.
Disclaimer: Our coverage of one-off payments, support payments, tax reliefs, tax refunds, tax credits and other payments is based on the official sources listed in the article. All payment amounts and dates, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change by the governing institutions. Always consult the official source we provide to stay up to date and obtain information for your decision-making.