The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that automatic payments of up to £300 will be made to state pensioners in England and Wales this winter as part of the 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment scheme. The payments, ranging from £100 to £300, are intended to help with heating costs during the colder months and will be issued from November.
Eligibility Criteria for the 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment
To qualify for the payment, pensioners must have been born before June 28, 1960. The exact amount received depends on age and individual circumstances during the qualifying week, which runs from September 21 to 27, 2026. Those born between September 28, 1946, and June 27, 1960, will receive £200, while those born before September 28, 1946, will receive £300. Pensioners receiving certain benefits such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) may receive a different amount.
Automatic Payments and Notification Process
The DWP stated that letters will be sent to eligible pensioner households from October, confirming the payment amount. Payments will then be automatically deposited into bank accounts in November and December. Most pensioners do not need to take any action to claim the payment if they receive one of the following 12 benefits: State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), awards from the War Pensions Scheme, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Benefit, or Industrial Death Benefit.
When to Submit a Claim
Pensioners who do not receive any of these benefits must submit a claim if they have never received the Winter Fuel Payment before or if they have deferred their State Pension since their last payment. The DWP advised: “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 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.”
Tax Implications and Opt-Out Options
Pensioners with a total income over £35,000 will have their Winter Fuel Payment automatically reclaimed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), either through a tax code adjustment or by adding the amount to Self Assessment tax returns. To opt out of receiving the payment, pensioners must complete an online opt-out form before 11:59 pm on September 20, 2026, or call the helpline before 6 pm on September 18, 2026. They will need to provide their National Insurance number. Opting out is not required every year, and those who opt out will not receive future payments unless they choose to opt back in.
