DWP £300 winter fuel payment 'crucial birthday week' for 2025 says BBC expert

A BBC expert has highlighted the importance of a 'crucial week' later this year for those aiming to receive the winter fuel payment in 2025. BBC Morning Live featured insights from BBC Cost of Living correspondent Colletta Smith, pinpointing that individuals must meet a specific birthday deadline to qualify for the benefit.

The announcement comes after last week saw Chancellor Rachel Reeves reverse policy on the £2-300 winter fuel allowance, now set to benefit an additional 9 million pensioners this year. Slated for paying out in November and December, the cash – amounting to either £200 or £300 – should land automatically into the accounts of those eligible.

Ms Smith explained, "The crucial week we all need to remember is between the 15th and the 25th of September. So if you have had your birthday by the 21st of September and you've become a state pensioner, then at that point you qualify for the winter fuel payment this coming winter. So it's that week that's what they call the qualifying week. 15th to 21st, September."

Not all will receive the payout, as there's a cap for those earning over £35,000, and the funds will be recouped subsequently, Ms Smith explained: "Those eligible are people who earn now £35,000 or less, so it's a much higher threshold as a pensioner. So if you are getting some form of private pension, workplace pension, as long as you're below that threshold of £35,000, you'll still get the winter fuel payments.

"And crucially, it will come automatically. So like it used to. Previously, you didn't have to apply for it. It just pops into your bank accounts come the beginning of November onwards, so you don't have to worry about any complicated forms to fill in."

Ms Smith also clarified that individuals could opt out to avoid future hassle: "If you earn £35,000 or above, there is a way of ticking a box to say that you don't want to receive the payment in the first place, but otherwise, the payment will come through automatically, and then it will be clawed back through the tax system. So you will be taxed a bit more on your pensions to get that £200 taken back off you effectively."

However, she mentioned that certain individuals may be required to update their information, even if they qualify for the payment. She stated: "There will be a small number of people who might need to update their details. So if you have deferred your state pension, if you've lived abroad recently and have moved back, it's probably worth contacting the government to make sure that you do get that payment. For everybody else, you won't have to apply for it."

According to DWP officials, only individuals born before a specific date will receive the payment. They clarified: "The winter fuel payment for 2025 to 2026 will be made to everyone in England and Wales born before 22 September 1959, unless you choose not to get it. You could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter."

They assured that no action is necessary, as payments will be made automatically. Nonetheless, officials noted that while everyone will receive the payment, those with incomes exceeding a certain threshold will have it recovered through HMRC, though the specifics of this process were not provided.

The officials stated: "If your income is over £35,000, your winter fuel payment will be recovered later through HMRC. Details of the 2025 to 2026 payment will be available by the end of June 2025."

Ms Smith pointed out that some individuals may opt not to receive the payment, as those earning above the threshold would be required to repay it. The presenter issued a stark warning about fraudsters, remarking: "Scammers have already started using this change for opportunities to con people, haven't they? Straight away, the scammers jump on it immediately.

"In fact, one of our viewers, Jenny, has got in touch, sent a text that she got about 3 hours after the government made this announcement. Bang! This one pings into Jenny saying, The energy allowance notice, click on this link and you can qualify, you can fill in all your details, give us some bank details, give us your note."

She cautioned viewers against falling for such tricks, advising: "It's a scam, if you receive anything like this, the immediate warning is that you don't need to apply for this. So if you're getting anything saying click on this link, give us information and you can apply or you can get hold of, you know it's a scam because you don't need to apply."