DWP confirms exact date you have to be born before to claim £300 benefit | Personal Finance | Finance
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that everyone born before a specific date will be eligible for the winter fuel payment this year, following the Chancellor’s announcement. Rachel Reeves said that the nine million people who missed out on the payment last winter will receive the cash this year.
Those with incomes over £35,000 will also receive the benefit; however, it will later be reclaimed through the tax system. Sir Keir Starmer has maintained that the decision to reinstate most winter fuel payments was not a reaction to political backlash over the policy.
The winter fuel payment provides between £200 and £300, depending on circumstances.
From November 1, individuals of a certain age and who earn £35,000 or less a year in taxable income will get the benefit automatically paid into their accounts, reports Cambridgeshire Live.
The DWP announced that the winter fuel payment for 2025-2026 will be made to all those in England and Wales born before September 22, 1959. Those who are eligible will receive a letter informing them of how much they will receive.
The office has also updated its guidance about who will be entitled to the payment. Officials have stated that only individuals born before the specified date will be eligible to receive the money.
They announced: «The Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 to 2026 will be made to everyone in England and Wales before 22 September 1959, unless you choose not to receive it. You could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter.
«You do not need to do anything – payment will be made automatically.»
The DWP has confirmed that everyone will receive the payment, but warned that those earning above a certain threshold would see it reclaimed through HMRC.
They said: «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.»
