Winter Fuel Payments

Millions of pensioners could see their Winter Fuel Payments reinstated this winter as a charity has launched legal proceedings against the UK Government, aiming to reverse its decision to restrict the payments to those on certain benefits. It's still very early days and there are no guarantees, but here's what you need to know.

The state pension is set to rise by up to £460 a year (£8.80 a week) from 6 April 2025 under what's known as the 'triple lock' guarantee. But MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) founder Martin Lewis has warned that any rise will come too late to help pensioners set to lose their Winter Fuel Payments this winter, while most won't get the maximum increase. Here's what you need to know.

Winter Fuel Payments – a tax-free payment made to all pensioners to help with winter energy bills – are to be restricted to those on benefits and Pension Credit, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced. But MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has urged the Government to include a wider group, and to leave no stone unturned ensuring the 800,000 eligible who miss out on Pension Credit get it.

Nearly 12 million pensioners should have received their £150 or £300 cost of living payment by today, the Government has said. The non-repayable grants were paid as part of the existing Winter Fuel Payments scheme starting in November last year. Here's what to do if you think you're due the payment but haven't yet got it.

Some 400,000 households in Scotland will receive £50 annually to help towards winter heating costs, irrespective of weather conditions. It replaces the Cold Weather Payment, which only pays out if temperatures fall below zero degrees over seven consecutive days. 

Tens of thousands of people who are eligible for winter fuel payments are being urged to check their details after 60,000+ letters on the scheme were sent out with incorrect information, which in a small number of cases could affect how much you're paid. Here's what to watch out for and what you need to do.

Temperatures are plunging, the heating's set higher – but you could qualify to get £100s off your energy bill this winter.