The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed who will receive a £300 Winter Fuel Payment in winter 2026 under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. State pensioners born before September 28, 1946 will qualify for an instant £100 boost, taking their payment from £200 to £300.
Eligibility based on birth date
The DWP says that those who are of state pension age but aged under 80 — born between September 28, 1946, and June 27, 1960 — will be eligible for only a £200 payment. Those aged over 80, born before September 28, 1946, will qualify for the £300 payment instead.
The amount is determined by the recipient's circumstances during the 'qualifying week' between September 21 and 27, 2026. The current system will remain in place for winter 2026, covering October 2026 to January 2027.
Background to the changes
Winter Fuel Payment criteria have been changed twice in two years. A previous switch to making payments means-tested and tied to Pension Credit eligibility meant that the £200 or £300 payments were only available to those on a very low income of about £11,000, which proved highly controversial.
For the past winter, the system was changed again so that all state pensioners would once again receive the money on a universal basis, with only those earning £35,000 or more being required to give it back.
How payments are made
The Government explains: "You'll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you'll get, if you're eligible. If you do not get a letter but think you're eligible, check if you need to make a claim."
Most people who qualify will receive a letter telling them how much they will get and which bank account this will be paid into, usually the same as their Pension Credit or other benefits.
Age UK said: "If you or your partner claims Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, the payment should go to the main claimant of the benefit automatically. If you've never received a winter fuel payment before, or if you claim Universal Credit, you might need to make a claim. And if you receive Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, you must make a claim."
Age UK added: "You should receive your payment between mid-November and Christmas. Call the winter fuel payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 if you have any enquiries or you don't receive your payment."
