DWP giving £300 payment to pensioners born before this date

Millions of pensioners will be given a cash boost in the coming weeks. Over 66s across the country will be receiving the Winter Fuel Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this winter to help keep their homes warm. If you were born before September 22, 1959, and live in England or Wales you could get between £100 and £300 to help pay for heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026.

The qualifying week was from September 15 to 21 for winter 2025/26. To be eligible you needed to have reached State Pension age by the end of that period. Most eligible people will get the payment automatically, though individuals with a personal income of more than £35,000 a year will have it taken back by HMRC.

Eligible pensioners will get letters in October or November informing them of how much they'll be receiving.

Most people who qualify will have the funds transferred in November or December.

The Government had previously changed the rules so that households were no longer entitled to it unless they receive Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits, but expanded eligibility after the move proved deeply unpopular.

The Government previously said the increased threshold "means no lower or middle-income pensioners will miss out, with the vast majority - over three quarters - of pensioners in England and Wales receiving the payment".

The amount you receive will vary depending on various factors, including your age, who you live with with, how old they are and your circumstances between the qualifying dates, MoneyHelper explains.

You can find out more about the eligibility requirements and see whether you qualify here.

If you live in Northern Ireland, you may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment from the Northern Ireland Executive with eligibility rules the same as for England and Wales.

You cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment if you live in Scotland, though you might qualify for the Pension Age Winter Heating payment.