The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that automatic payments of up to £300 will be made to state pensioners this winter as part of the 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment. Eligible pensioners in England and Wales will receive the money from November to help with heating costs during colder months.
Eligibility and Payment Amounts
For the 2026/27 tax year, pensioners born before June 28, 1960, will receive a payment between £100 and £300. Those born between September 28, 1946, and June 27, 1960, are due to get £200, while those born before September 28, 1946, will receive £300. The exact amount depends on age and circumstances during the qualifying week from September 21 to 27, 2026.
Payments will be issued under the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, who inherits the system from Sir Keir Starmer and ex-Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Burnham has vowed to lead a 'cost of living government' to ease pressure on household budgets, and these payments are expected to proceed as planned.
Automatic Payments and Claims
Most pensioners receiving any of 12 benefits—including State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, War Pensions Scheme awards, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Benefit, or Industrial Death Benefit—will get the payment automatically in November or December. No action is needed for them.
If you don't receive any of these benefits, you may need to claim if you've never had the Winter Fuel Payment before or have deferred your State Pension since your last payment.
Payment Timeline and Letters
The DWP will send letters from October confirming payment amounts, with money paid automatically in November and December. The DWP stated: “Most payments are made automatically in November or December. You should get a letter telling you how much you’ll get and which bank account it will be paid into—usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits.” If no letter arrives or payment is not received by January 27, 2027, pensioners should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
Tax and Opt-Out Details
Pensioners with a total income over £35,000 will have the payment automatically recovered by HMRC via tax code changes or Self Assessment. To opt out, pensioners must complete an online form before 11:30 pm on September 20, 2026, or call the helpline before 6 pm on September 18, 2026, providing their National Insurance number. Opting out is a one-time decision; you won't receive future payments unless you opt back in.
