The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed one-off payments of up to £300 for state pensioners this winter under Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government. The extra cash comes from the 2026/27 rollout of Winter Fuel Payments, which will be issued to eligible pensioners from November.
Payment amounts and eligibility
The payments are worth between £100 and £300, depending on age and circumstances, and are intended to help cover heating bills during the colder months, when energy bills are typically higher. The payments are available to pensioners born on or before June 27, 1960, but those with an individual annual income over £35,000 will have the money taken back by HMRC.
Burnham inherits the current Winter Fuel Payment system from his predecessors, and as he has vowed to lead a 'cost of living government' to help ease pressure on household budgets, these payments are due to proceed as planned this winter.
How payments will be made
Pensioners who are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment will receive a letter from the DWP in October or November confirming how much they will receive. Payments will then be made automatically in November or December, meaning most pensioners should have the support in time for Christmas.
According to the DWP eligibility criteria, pensioners who live alone and were born before September 28, 1946, will receive £300, while those born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960, will receive £200. If you get Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), then your payment amount may be different.
Opting out and deadlines
Confirming the payments for winter 2026/27, the DWP said: “Most payments are made automatically in November or December. You should get a letter telling you: how much you’ll get, which bank account it will be paid into - this is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits.”
“If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 27, 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.”
The deadline to opt out of receiving a Winter Fuel Payment this year has now passed, but pensioners can opt out of next year’s payment from December 21. Opting out won’t affect your State Pension, and you don’t need to opt out every year, as you won’t receive a payment in future unless you choose to opt back in. If you do decide to opt back in, you can do so by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. To get a payment for winter 2026 to 2027, you will need to contact the service before March 31, 2027.
The DWP said: “You can no longer opt of the Winter Fuel Payment for 2026 to 2027. You’ll be able to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment for 2027 to 2028 from 21 December 2026. If you do not opt out and your total income is over £35,000, you’ll receive the Winter Fuel Payment but HMRC will take it back.”
