The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed who will receive the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2026/27. Letters confirming payment amounts will be sent in October or November 2026, but not everyone will get one.
People born on or before June 27, 1960, may be eligible for the payment, which is worth between £100 and £300 to help cover heating costs. Most eligible people receive the payment automatically and do not need to claim.
Who is eligible for the 2026 Winter Fuel Payment?
To qualify, you must have been 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 these countries, or if you were visiting them during the qualifying week of September 21 to 27, 2026, but live elsewhere.
You also cannot get the payment if you were in hospital receiving free treatment for the whole qualifying week and the year before, if you need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says you cannot claim public funds, or if you were in prison for the whole qualifying week.
How much will you get?
The amount depends on your date of birth and your circumstances during the qualifying week. If you live alone or with no one else eligible, you will get £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, the payment varies. For example, if both of you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960, you get £100 each. If both were born before September 28, 1946, you get £150 each. If you and your partner jointly claim certain benefits, one of you will get £200 or £300 depending on birth dates.
For people in care homes, eligible residents will get £100 if born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960, or £150 if born before September 28, 1946.
What about HMRC and scams?
If your income is more than £35,000, HMRC will take the payment back by changing your tax code or adding it to your Self Assessment tax return. Payments are made into the bank account where you usually receive benefits.
If you do not receive a letter or the money has not been paid by January 27, 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. Be aware of scams: if you receive calls, emails or messages claiming to be from HMRC and asking for personal information such as bank details or passwords, report it as it may be a scam.
