The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that millions of people born before June 28, 1960 will receive between £100 and £300 to help cover the cost of higher heating bills during the colder months. Winter Fuel Payments will be issued automatically to an estimated 9 million pensioners in November or December.
Guidance on GOV.UK also states that letters will be issued in October and November informing pensioners of the amount they can expect to receive. The qualifying period for the payment, which is determined by age and household circumstances, is September 21 to 27.
Eligibility and qualifying criteria
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before June 27, 1960 and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You will not be eligible if you usually live outside England and Wales, 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.
If you live in a care home, you can get Winter Fuel Payment. You will not be eligible if both of the following apply: you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and you lived in a care home for the whole time from June 28, 2026 or earlier.
Payment amounts for different circumstances
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for 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 Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA.
If you do not get 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 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 (not as part of a joint claim), 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, 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.
Payments for pensioners in Scotland
Older people in Scotland will not receive a Winter Fuel Payment as this has now been replaced by Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP). The qualifying week for PAWHP this winter is Monday September 21 to Sunday September 27, 2026. To be eligible, you must have been born before June 28, 1960 and lived in Scotland on at least the last day of the qualifying week. Payments of between £105.55 and £316.70 will be issued automatically by Social Security Scotland from November.
Payment process and important dates
DWP guidance 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." It is important to be aware scammers may try and trick you into making a claim by text, prompting you to click on a link. This is not an official DWP message and should be deleted. If you think you need to claim, follow the guidance on GOV.UK.
The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 21 to 27, 2026. DWP is also reminding pensioners "any money you get will not affect your other benefits". If your annual income is over £35,000, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either changing your tax code or adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return.
To opt out of getting the Winter Fuel Payment, you need to either complete the opt out form before 11:59pm on September 20, 2026, or call the helpline before 6pm on September 18, 2026. You will need to provide your National Insurance number when you use the online form or call the helpline.
DWP said most payments will be made automatically in November or December. You should get a letter telling you how much you will get and which bank account it will be paid into. DWP added: "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."
