Millions of state pensioners will lose their £300 winter fuel payment if they no longer claim a qualifying benefit.
Many were losing out due to the government’s decision to switch the payment to being means tested instead of universal.
However, even those who do qualify for the winter fuel payment this year, will see the amount vary.
The payment will depend on the year the recipient was born, and possibly on other circumstances too, The Express reports.
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All state pensioners previously received the winter fuel payment, but they now need to be claiming a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit, under the rule change.
Those who qualify and were of state pension age but aged under 80 – born on or before September 22, 1958 – will get a £200 payment.
People aged over 80 – so born September 22, 1944 or earlier – who qualify will get £300.
This means those aged over 80 who qualify will see their winter fuel payment increased from £200 to £300.
The amount received is based on when a person was born and their circumstances between September 15 and 21, 2025 – the ‘qualifying week’.
Most of those who qualify will get a letter telling them how much they’ll get and which bank account this will be paid into.
An Age UK spokesperson said: “If you or your partner claims Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, the payment should go to the main claimant of the benefit automatically.
“If you’ve never received a winter fuel payment before, or if you claim Universal Credit, you might need to make a claim.
“And if you receive Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, you must make a claim.
“You should receive your payment between mid-November and Christmas.
“Call the winter fuel payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 if you have any enquiries or you don’t receive your payment.”
