The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is sending letters about the Winter Fuel Payment to households across the UK within days, confirming payments worth up to £300 for more than 10 million people this year.
The letters, issued throughout October and November, will specify exactly how much each recipient is entitled to, with the sum varying by individual circumstances. Age UK says the payment is designed to help with heating costs during colder months. The letters will also confirm which bank account the funds will be paid into - typically the same account used for State Pension or other benefits.
Eligibility and payment amounts
You qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and ordinarily live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, though some people will not qualify. Those in a care home may also be entitled, subject to their circumstances.
Government guidance states that if you live alone or nobody living with you is eligible, you will receive either £200 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, or £300 if you were born before 28 September 1946.
12 benefits that mean automatic payment
Most eligible people will receive the Winter Fuel Payment automatically. If you receive any of these 12 benefits, no action is needed:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Industrial Death Benefit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- State Pension
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- awards from the War Pensions Scheme
If you do not receive any of these benefits, you must make a claim if you have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before, or if you have deferred your State Pension since your last payment.
How to claim and the HMRC charge
Claims can be made by post from 21 September 2026 or by phone on 0800 731 0160 from 19 October 2026. The deadline for winter 2026 to 2027 is 31 March 2027. Claim forms should be sent to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR.
You can challenge any decision about your claim through a mandatory reconsideration. If your total income exceeds £35,000, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will recover the payment - your partner's income is not counted in this calculation.
The gov.uk website says: "You can check if your income is over the threshold. You'll need to provide the total amount of income you expect to receive in the tax year before any deductions. HMRC will usually collect the amount you owe through your tax code. If you complete a Self Assessment tax return, you'll pay it through your tax bill instead."
You may also opt out of receiving the payment if your income surpasses £35,000 or if you simply do not wish to receive it.
Qualifying week explained
In June, DWP minister Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary at HM Treasury - said in response to questions about eligibility: "The Winter Fuel Payment is an age-related payment payable to everyone who has reached State Pension age on or before the end of the qualifying week and is ordinarily resident in England or Wales. The qualifying week is set out in legislation and is the third full week of September, for winter 2026/27 that is 21 to 27 September 2026."
He added: "The State Pension age for men and women will increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028. People born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will reach their State Pension age at 66 years and the specified number of months, depending on the exact date they were born. Therefore, a person needs to be born on or before 27 June 1960 to have reached State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week to be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2026/27."
