The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed who will be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with millions of eligible people set to receive between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills for the 2026/27 season.
The annual, tax-free payment helps older people as the cost of living remains high, allowing pensioners to heat their homes. The DWP is this week sending letters to pensioners to remind them to opt out after HMRC requested 1.3 million people to pay back the benefit this spring.
As most people receive the benefit automatically, whether they are eligible or not, those with an income over £35,000 will be requested to return the payment to the tax authority. HMRC will take the Winter Fuel Payment back by either changing the tax code or adding the amount to a Self Assessment tax return.
How to opt out
To opt out of getting the Winter Fuel Payment, you can use the Manage your State Pension service before 11:59pm on September 20 2026 (if you get a State Pension), complete the opt out form before 11:59pm on September 20 2026, or call the helpline before 6pm on September 20 2026.
Who is eligible
If you were born on or before June 27 1960, you could be eligible for up to £300. If eligible, you will receive a letter in October or November telling you how much you will get, between £100 and £300.
You will not be eligible for the payment if you usually live outside of Wales, England or Northern Ireland; were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 21 to 27 September 2026 and the year before that; need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says you cannot claim public funds; or were in prison for the whole of the week of 21 to 27 September 2026.
How much you will get paid
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you will get either £200 if you were born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960, or £300 if you were born before September 28 1946.
If you live with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, your payment may be different if you get one of the following benefits: Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
If you do not receive any of those benefits, you will get a payment of £100 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960; £100 if you were born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960 but the person you live with was born before September 28 1946; £200 if you were born before September 28 1946 but the person you live with was born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960; or £150 if you and the person you live with were both born before September 28 1946.
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment into the same bank account your benefits are paid into, of either £200 if both of you were born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960, or £300 if one or both of you were born before September 28 1946.
If you get any of the benefits, you will get a payment of either £200 if you were born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960, or £300 if you were born before September 28 1946.
If you live in a care home and are eligible for the payment, you will get either £100 if you were born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960, or £150 if you were born before September 28 1946.
