The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send letters to pensioners next month about a payment worth up to £300. The pensioners are set to find out how much they will receive through this year's Winter Fuel Payment.
Annual tax-free lump sum
The annual, tax-free lump sum is designed to help older Brits pay their heating bills during the colder months. It is worth between £100 and £300 this year, depending on your age, household setup, and personal circumstances during the "qualifying week" from September 21 to September 27.
While most people will receive the money automatically, the DWP advises anyone who does not receive a letter but believes they are eligible to get in touch.
Eligibility criteria
The DWP states: "If you were born on or before 27 June 1960 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2026 to 2027. This is known as a 'Winter Fuel Payment'."
The department adds: "Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they're eligible. If you're eligible, you'll receive a letter in October or November saying how much you'll get. Most eligible people will be paid in November or December 2026."
However, if your total income is over £35,000, your Winter Fuel Payment will be automatically clawed back by HMRC through PAYE or Self Assessment. People have been told there is no tapering, which means even if you are £1 over the £35,000 limit, you lose the full payment.
Who is eligible
The DWP says: "You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland."
However, you will not be eligible if you usually live outside England, Wales 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 that you cannot claim public funds, or were in prison for the whole of the week of 21 to 27 September 2026.
You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home. 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 29 June 2026 or earlier.
Payment amounts
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, or £300 if you were born before 28 September 1946.
If you live with someone else who's 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 get any of the benefits, you'll get a payment of £100 if you and the person you live with were both born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, £100 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960 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 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, or £150 if you and the person you live with were both born before 28 September 1946.
If you live in a care home, if you're eligible you'll get either £100 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, or £150 if you were born before 28 September 1946.
