As temperatures drop across the UK in December 2025, many older households are turning their attention to the Winter Fuel Payment. But one question remains a source of confusion: Do both husband and wife receive the Winter Fuel Allowance, or is it just one payment per couple?
This government support is a key part of many pensioners’ winter budgets. However, with changes in payment rules and new income-based criteria affecting households from 2024 onwards, it’s more important than ever to understand how the system works, especially if you’re part of a couple.
This article will clarify who gets what, how payments are handled in shared households, and what to expect for the 2025/26 winter season.
What Is the Winter Fuel Payment and Who Can Get It in 2025/26?
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual, tax-free government benefit intended to help older people with their heating costs during the colder months. Managed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), it’s usually issued between mid-November and December, and the payment is ongoing for the winter 2025/26 season.
To be eligible for a payment in winter 2025/26, the key criteria are:
- You were born on or before 22 September 1959
- You were living in the UK during the qualifying week (15 to 21 September 2025)
Most people who receive the State Pension or certain other benefits will be paid automatically. However, those newly eligible, or living abroad, may need to submit a claim by 31 March 2026.
Do Both Husband and Wife Get a Separate Winter Fuel Allowance?
In most cases, no, a husband and wife do not both receive a full Winter Fuel Payment separately. The DWP typically treats couples who live together as one household, meaning that a single payment is made per home.
This policy is designed to help with heating costs for the shared living space, not to provide two full payments for individuals within the same household. Usually, one person in the couple will receive the entire amount on behalf of both.
However, recent changes mean that some couples may now receive separate payments, depending on how they claim benefits and their income level.
How Is the Winter Fuel Allowance Shared Between Couples?
In most households where both partners are over the qualifying age and live together, the DWP issues one combined payment. This payment covers both individuals and is either sent to the person receiving a qualifying benefit or chosen by the DWP if no benefits are claimed.
If a couple is claiming a joint benefit, such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit, then the payment is made to the main claimant.
Here’s what typically happens:
- Joint benefits: One payment is made to the person receiving the benefit.
- No benefits: One payment is issued, split or assigned by the DWP to one partner.
- Single benefit claimant: That individual receives the full household payment.
The DWP’s approach is to treat the couple’s situation as one household claim, not as two individuals.
Can Couples Get Separate Payments Under the New Income-Based Rules?
Since updates that began rolling out in 2024, and continuing into 2025 and beyond, some households are now eligible for separate Winter Fuel Payments under specific conditions.
According to MoneySavingExpert and Yahoo News UK, couples may receive individual payments if:
- They do not claim benefits jointly
- Their combined income is £35,000 or less
- Both partners are over the State Pension age
- They each meet the eligibility criteria independently
This means that if you live with your partner, but handle your finances separately, and your income qualifies, you could now receive split payments, or even two adjusted individual payments.
The DWP may assess each partner’s entitlement and issue payments accordingly. This approach aims to ensure that lower-income pensioners in couples aren’t penalised by shared payment policies.
Does Your Age Affect the Amount You Receive as a Couple?
Yes, age significantly influences the amount a couple receives. The Winter Fuel Payment increases for individuals aged 80 and over, and this affects how much the household gets if both partners are eligible.
If one partner is aged 80+, and the other is younger, the older partner may receive a larger portion or even the entire payment, especially if they also receive benefits.
| Age of Oldest Partner | Potential 2025/26 Payment | Notes |
| Both under 80 | £250 – £500 | Lower combined payment |
| One over 80 | £300 – £600 | Higher payment, possibly paid fully to older partner |
| Both over 80 | Up to £600 | Depends on benefit and household setup |
Payments are tiered to provide greater support to the oldest pensioners, who are often more vulnerable to cold-weather-related health risks.
What If Only One Partner Qualifies by Age in 2025?
If only one partner meets the qualifying age, born on or before 22 September 1959, then only that person is entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment. The amount will reflect a single-person household, and the partner under the age threshold will not be factored into the payment.
This scenario can significantly reduce the overall benefit received by a household, especially if the younger partner handles most of the heating bills.
In short, the non-qualifying partner does not receive anything, and the household gets only a partial payment based on the eligible individual’s status.
Can Couples Who Live Apart Receive Separate Payments?
Yes. If a couple is living apart, and both partners meet the eligibility criteria, the DWP treats them as individual households. This means that each person can receive a full Winter Fuel Payment independently.
This applies in cases of:
- Legal separation or divorce
- One partner living in a care home
- One partner living abroad (if eligible under special residency rules)
The “one payment per household” rule only applies when partners are living at the same address during the qualifying week in September.
How Do Joint Benefits Affect Your Winter Fuel Payment?
Joint benefit claims, such as Pension Credit for couples, result in a single Winter Fuel Payment, issued to the main claimant. This approach is consistent with how other benefits are calculated in the UK, where household income and circumstances are considered, not just individual details.
If you and your partner share benefits, don’t expect a second payment unless one of you meets the criteria for separate consideration, such as living apart or no longer sharing finances.
How Are Payments Made for the 2025/26 Season?
Most people eligible for the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment should have already received it or will receive it by 31 December 2025. The payments appear in your bank account under the reference ‘DWP WFP’.
You can expect:
- Payments issued between mid-November and the end of December 2025
- Automatic processing for most benefit claimants
- Manual claims still accepted until 31 March 2026
If you believe you’re eligible and haven’t received a payment, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre or check your previous benefit letters for instructions.
Are There Other Heating Support Schemes for Couples?
Yes, beyond the Winter Fuel Payment, several other support schemes are active for the winter 2025/26 season:
- Cold Weather Payment: Issued automatically if your local area experiences a week of very cold temperatures. £25 per cold week.
- Warm Home Discount: £150 rebate on electricity bills for pensioners and low-income households. Applied via your energy supplier.
- Household Support Fund: Offered by local councils to help with energy, food, and essential costs during winter.
Couples may qualify for more than one of these schemes depending on their circumstances.
What Should Couples Do Now to Ensure They’re Paid Correctly?
As of 18 December 2025, most Winter Fuel Payments should have been processed. However, if you are:
- New to claiming
- Unsure about your household status
- Living apart from your partner
- On a low income without joint benefits
It’s advisable to review your eligibility and contact the DWP to confirm your situation. Remember, the deadline to apply for Winter Fuel Payment for this winter is 31 March 2026.
Also, check your bank statements carefully. The payment may have already been issued, and it might not be obvious unless you look for “DWP WFP” as the reference.
FAQs
Do both husband and wife get separate Winter Fuel Payments?
Not usually. Most couples receive one shared payment per household, unless special conditions apply.
Can we get two payments if our income is under £35,000?
Possibly. If you don’t claim joint benefits, and both partners qualify by age, you may be assessed separately under new rules.
Who receives the payment in a couple?
The DWP pays one person usually the one receiving a qualifying benefit or selected by the system if no benefits are claimed.
What happens if one of us turns 80?
The person aged 80+ may receive a larger payment, especially if they are the benefit recipient.
Do we need to apply every year?
No. If you’ve received it before and your circumstances haven’t changed, the payment is made automatically each year.
What if only one of us is over the qualifying age?
Only the eligible partner will receive the payment, and it will reflect a reduced single rate.
Can we appeal if we think we got the wrong amount?
Yes. Contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to query or challenge a payment if you believe it’s incorrect.
