The state pensioners qualifying for £300 payment this week instead of £200

A huge change to the winter fuel payment is set to take effect from this week, meaning millions more pensioners will get the benefit from the government worth £200 or £300 - but the exact amount you get depends on one thing.

Earlier this year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a U-tun on the winter fuel payment, scrapping the wildly unpopular means testing system based on Pension Credit and instead swapping it to a wider means testing system based on a much larger income. Everyone will get a payment, but only those who earn more than £35,000 will be made to repay it to government in their taxes.

But what many don't realise is that if you do qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment this year, the exact amount you get will changes depending on the year you were born, and possibly because of other circumstances too.

The Winter Fuel Payment used to be paid automatically to all state pensioners, but in 2024 was changed to only those on Pension Credit. In 2025, it will once again go to all state pensioners, except those earning more than £35,000 will repay it.

Those who are of state pension age but aged under 80, so born on or before September 21, 1959, will get a £200 payment, whereas those aged over 80 - so born on September 21, 1945 or earlier - will get £300.

The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 15 and 21 2025. This is called the 'qualifying week' and it's this week.

This means that if you are now aged over 80 and qualify, your Winter Fuel Payment will be increased from £200 to £300. Your circumstances during the next 7 days qualify you to get the payment, and you will then receive the payment into your bank account in November or December.

Most people who qualify will get a letter telling them how much they will get and which bank account this will be paid into - which is usually the same as for your state pension or other benefits.

Age UK explains: "If you're eligible, the Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 will be paid directly into your account between November and December 2025.

"If you or your partner are over State Pension age, you could receive £200 towards your bills. If you or your partner are over 80, you could receive £300.

"If you or your partner receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income related Employment and Support Allowance, one person will be paid the whole Winter Fuel Payment for the household.

"If you and your partner do not receive one of these benefits the payment is split between you and the other qualifying people you live with.

"Payments are automatic you do not need to do anything.

"If you have not received your Winter Fuel Payment by January 2026, you can make a claim before 31 March 2026. Contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160."