Winter fuel payment lands in accounts from Saturday but 5 groups won't be eligible

Millions of state pensioners have received a letter from the DWP confirming they're in line for up to £300 in winter fuel payments, with money arriving in accounts from this Saturday, November 1. But pensioners in five groups will end up missing out, the Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed.

Despite the fact that new rules have been put into place this winter to ensure the payments are made to everyone - even if they earn over £35,000 - there are still some state pensioners who won't qualify for a winter fuel payment from this weekend even though they earn less than the new £35,000 threshold. Those earning more than £35,000 will still receive their winter fuel payment, but they'll be made to repay it via their taxes to HMRC.

But there are others who won't even receive a payment at all.

While the government announced a big change to the payments for 2025 following last year's very unpopular Pension Credit system, it's still not true that absolutely every state pensioner will get a winter fuel payment.

That's because in some circumstances, you won't be deemed eligible and this week is the week that your eligibility is being determined.

According to Age UK, those who lived in a care home between June 23 to September 21, 2025 and claimed Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Income-related Employment And Support Allowance will not be eligible for the payment.

Those who lived in a care home and don't get one of those benefits will receive a lower £100 payment instead (or £150 if you're over 80), which is half the normal amount.

Age UK says: "You're not entitled to Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home from 23 June to 21 September 2025 and you receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance."

The government has also confirmed several other scenarios in which you won't get a payment, including if you live outside England or Wales, or were in hospital, or were in prison.

The DWP says via gov.uk: "You will not be eligible if you:

live outside England and Wales

were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year before that

need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds

were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025

You will not be eligible if both of the following apply:

• you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and you lived in a care home for the whole time from 23 June 2025 or earlier."

For those who are eligible, the payments will begin from November 1 and everyone who is eligible should get a payment in November or December.