Nine million pensioners to receive Winter Fuel Payments this winter

More pensioners in Devon will be able to receive Winter Fuel Payments this winter after the government announced today (June 9) that the income eligibility threshold has been increased to £35,000 a year.

Around nine million pensioners in England and Wales are expected to benefit from the payment, which is designed to help with heating costs during the colder months.

According to HM Treasury, the change means no lower or middle-income pensioners will miss out on the payment, which is designed to help with heating costs during the colder months.

The Treasury states this threshold includes over three quarters of pensioners in England and Wales.

Under the updated scheme, everyone over the State Pension age with an income at or below £35,000 will automatically receive the payment, which is £200 per household or £300 if someone in the household is over 80.

Support will continue to be targeted, meaning pensioners with incomes above the £35,000 threshold will have the payment automatically reclaimed through the tax system.

These individuals will not need to take any action, but they will also have the option to opt out and refuse the payment if they wish.

South West MP, Rebecca Smith told The Moorlander: "After months of pressure from my Conservative colleagues, Labour has finally been forced into a humiliating U-turn to restore Winter Fuel Payments.

"One of the first things I did when I was elected was write directly to the Chancellor to warn about the devastating impact this cut would have on pensioners in South West Devon. I have consistently spoken out in Parliament and challenged ministers directly, yet the Government repeatedly ignored us. The Prime Minister dismissed our warnings, even as pensioners here faced a real crisis: choosing between heating and eating.

"Now, facing public outrage and electoral backlash, the Chancellor has begrudgingly reinstated these vital payments.

"This isn’t leadership - it’s damage control."

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said in a government statement: “Targeting Winter Fuel Payments was a tough decision, but the right decision because of the inheritance we had been left by the previous government. It is also right that we continue to means-test this payment so that it is targeted and fair, rather than restoring eligibility to everyone including the wealthiest.

“But we have now acted to expand the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment so no pensioner on a lower income will miss out. This will mean over three quarters of pensioners receiving the payment in England and Wales later this winter.”

HM Treasury estimates the expanded scheme will cost around £1.25 billion in England and Wales but says means-testing the payments will save approximately £450 million compared to the previous universal system, subject to certification by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).

Payments will be made automatically this winter, with no action required by pensioners.

HMRC will recover payments from those above the income threshold via PAYE or Self-Assessment returns.

Eligibility for the payment depends on a person’s age and place of residence during the qualifying week, which for winter 2025/26 is 15 to 21 September 2025.

The Treasury states that to qualify, a person must have reached State Pension age by the end of this week.

The Moorlander understands from official guidance that approximately two million individuals over State Pension age in England and Wales have taxable incomes above £35,000 and will therefore not receive the payment.

In addition to the Winter Fuel Payment, the government says over 12 million pensioners across the UK will benefit from the State Pension Triple Lock, with their State Pension set to increase by up to £1,900 during this parliament.