Frank, 78, lives alone in a draughty flat in Manchester. He gets the State Pension and a small private pension. Last year, he received £500 automatically. “I used it to buy a new electric blanket and a few extra logs,” he says, grinning. “Best feeling in the world.”
Susan, 65, works part-time and has a moderate income. She thought she’d get nothing, but because she lives with her elderly mother (who qualifies), the payment is based on the household’s oldest person. So Susan’s mum gets £400, and Susan gets to borrow the car to visit the garden centre. Win-win.
DWP Confirms Key Birth Date for Winter Fuel Payment Eligibility in 2026
