State Pensioners could receive up to £500 in payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help them through the cold weather this winter. Most of the payments will be made automatically to eligible retirees, although in some cases, pensioners may have to apply.

The largest sum comes from the Winter Fuel Payment, which more pensioners will be eligible for this year after Labour’s major U-turn, which could prove even more vital after Ofgem increased the energy price cap in October. However, retirees can also get support when the temperature drops with the Warm Home Discount and the Cold Weather Payment, which is linked to the temperature outside.

Winter Fuel Payment

Pensioners can get up to £300 in Winter Fuel Payments to help cover costs over winter. However, it only applies to pensioners with annual incomes below £35,000.

Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible, and state pensioners and people on Pension Credit will not need to claim.

The payments work on a sliding scale depending on personal circumstances, so anyone born before September 22, 1959, could get between £100 and £300 to help them pay their heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. You can check eligibility on the Government website.

Warm home discount

Pensioners can get a one-off £150 discount on their electricity bill, which will be sent directly to the supplier.

The Government has expanded the Warm Home Discount, which means now, every billpayer in England and Wales on means-tested benefits qualifies for it. The move will see a further 2.7 million families receive the payment this year – around six million households will get help overall.

If you live in Scotland, are receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, and are named on your electricity bill (or your partner or legal representative is), you will likely receive the Warm Home Discount automatically.

Scottish households in receipt of other means-tested benefits will need to apply for the discount via their energy supplier directly from October. Application windows will vary depending on the supplier.

Pension Credit tops up people’s weekly income to £227.10 if they are single, and £346.60 for couples. However, extra payments known as ‘Guarantee Credit’ can be made for people who have a severe disability, people in a caring role, or those responsible for children or young people. The DWP has launched a new drive to encourage take up of this significantly underclaimed benefit – check if you’re eligible.

Cold Weather Payment

This payment supports people receiving certain benefits when the weather drops in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A payment of £25 will be paid for every seven-day period recorded at or below freezing, between November 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically. It does not apply in Scotland. Instead, but you may be able to get an annual Winter Heating Payment instead.