DWP Lists Five Groups of Seniors Over 66 Not Eligible for Winter Fuel Payment

The UK’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that despite broad eligibility changes, there are five specific groups of people aged over 66 who will not receive the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2025-26.

This payment, worth up to £300, is meant to help pensioners with energy bills as the colder months approach. In this article we explain fully who is excluded, why, the eligibility rules, and what the figures are.

What is the Winter Fuel Payment & Recent Changes

• The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free payment, up to £300 per household, intended to assist with heating costs during winter.
• For winter 2025-26 the eligibility has been re-expanded: all pensioners aged 66 or older may receive it provided their taxable income is £35,000 or below. Those above this threshold may have the payment later recovered via HMRC.
• The qualifying week is 15-21 September 2025. Residence in England or Wales during that week is required.

Who Are the Five Groups That Will Not Receive It

Here are the five groups of over-66s confirmed by the DWP to be ineligible for the Winter Fuel Payment under the current rules:

#	Group	Reason / Criteria for Exclusion
1	Living Outside England & Wales	Pensioners permanently outside England & Wales during the qualifying week are excluded.
2	Hospitalised for the Whole Qualifying Week	If someone is in hospital (receiving free treatment) for the entire week of 15-21 September 2025, they are not eligible.
3	With Immigration Status Preventing Public Funds	People who require permission to enter the UK and whose leave explicitly forbids claiming public funds are excluded.
4	In Prison for the Full Qualifying Week	Pensioners who are in prison for the whole of the qualifying week cannot claim the payment.
5	Annual Taxable Income over £35,000	Those who have taxable income above £35,000 will not keep the payment—they may get it but HMRC will automatically recover it via tax adjustments.

Detailed Facts & Figures

• Age Requirement: Born before 22 September 1959 (so over State Pension age, 66).
• Income Limit: Up to £35,000 taxable income per year is the threshold beyond which the payment will be clawed back.
• Qualifying Week: 15-21 September 2025. Residence status during this week is crucial.
• Payments Timing: Letters confirming eligibility and payments will be sent in October or November 2025.
• Payment Amounts:
  • A household with someone aged 66-79 gets lower amount;
  • If someone is 80 or over, they receive the higher rate.

Why These Exclusions Exist

• Some exclusions are based on residency & legal status (outside England & Wales, prison, restricted immigration status) to align with public funds policy.
• Hospital-stay exclusion relates to free hospital treatment: if you do not incur fuel costs at home during the entire week, it’s assumed fuel heating support is not needed.
• The income exclusion is part of means-testing: above £35,000 taxable income triggers recovery of the benefit.

Implications for Pensioners

• Pensioners who were previously excluded by narrower rules may now be eligible under the widened criteria (if they are over 66 and income ≤ £35,000).
• But for those in the excluded groups: no benefit under these rules.
• Some may need to be proactive: ensure addresses are accurate, understand income and status, especially about immigration/public funds.

The DWP’s updated eligibility rules for the Winter Fuel Payment in 2025-26 broaden support for many pensioners aged 66+, but there remain five key groups who will not receive it those outside England & Wales, hospitalised for the full qualifying week, with restricted immigration status, in prison for that whole week, or with taxable income over £35,000.

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