The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that there are no plans to change the qualifying criteria for Winter Fuel Payments “at this time” in response to a query from a Labour MP over the potential merits of revising the eligibility rules.
To be eligible for this year's Winter Fuel Payment, you must have been born on or before September 25, 1956 and have lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of September 19 - 25, 2022 - this is called the ‘qualifying week’.
If you do not meet either of these qualifying criteria, or if you live abroad, you may need to make a claim. If you’ve had a Winter Fuel Payment before, you do not need to claim again unless you’ve deferred your State Pension or moved abroad - find out more here.