The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed automatic payments of up to £300 for state pensioners aged 80 and over this winter. The money comes from this year's Winter Fuel Payment, which will roll out to eligible pensioners in England and Wales from November to help with heating costs.
Eligibility and payment amounts
Under the DWP eligibility criteria for winter 2026 to 2027, pensioners born before June 28, 1960, will be eligible to receive a payment, but the amount depends on age and individual circumstances. The payments will be issued under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who inherits the current Winter Fuel Payment system from his predecessors, Sir Keir Starmer and ex-Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Mr Burnham has vowed to lead a 'cost of living government' to ease pressure on household budgets. As Winter Fuel Payments are one such cost of living measure providing financial support to pensioners, these payments are expected to proceed as planned from next month.
Payment tiers explained
Winter Fuel Payments in the 2026/27 tax year are worth between £100 and £300, but payment amounts vary depending on circumstances. According to the DWP eligibility criteria, older pensioners born before September 28, 1946 (those aged 80 and over) who live alone will receive a £300 payment.
Those born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 (under 80) who live alone will get £200. If you live with someone else who's eligible, your payment may differ.
Official DWP guidance
Confirming the payments, the DWP said: "If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you’ll get either: £200 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960; £300 if you were born before 28 September 1946."
If you live with someone else who’s eligible, your payment may be different if you get Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). If you do not get any of those benefits, you’ll get a payment of: £100 if both were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960; £100 if you were born between those dates but the person you live with was born before 28 September 1946; £200 if you were born before 28 September 1946 but the person you live with was born between those dates; £150 if both were born before 28 September 1946.
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get either £200 if both were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, or £300 if one or both were born before 28 September 1946.
Automatic payments and claims
The DWP will send letters to pensioner households this month confirming the payment amount, with money due to be paid into accounts automatically in November and December. Most pensioners on 12 benefits—including State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), income-related ESA, War Pensions Scheme awards, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Benefit, and Industrial Death Benefit—will receive their payment automatically and don’t need to claim.
If you don’t get any of these, you’ll need to submit a claim if you’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment before or you’ve deferred your State Pension since your last payment. Pensioners with a total income over £35,000 will have their payment automatically clawed back by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), either by a change in tax code or by adding the amount to Self Assessment tax returns.
The deadline to opt out of receiving a payment this year has 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. To opt back in, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before March 31, 2027.
