People born on or before June 27 1960 could receive between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills for winter 2026 to 2027 under the Winter Fuel Payment scheme. Most eligible people get the payment automatically.
Eligibility and payment dates
If you are eligible, you will receive a letter in October or November saying how much you will get. Most eligible people will be paid in November or December 2026.
However, if your total income is over £35,000, HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back. Your partner's income does not count towards your total.
You will not be eligible if you live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Other reasons you may not receive the payment include if you were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole week of September 21 to 27 2026, and the year before that.
Who is not eligible
Those who need permission to enter the UK and whose granted leave says they cannot claim public funds will not be eligible, along with anyone who spent time in prison for the whole week of September 21 to 27.
The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 21 to 27 2026. DWP calls this the 'qualifying week' and any money you receive will not affect your other benefits.
Payment amounts
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you will get £200 if you were born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960. You can receive £300 if you were born before September 28 1946.
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 these benefits, DWP said you will get a payment of the following:
- £100 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960
- £100 if you were born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960, but the person you live with was born before September 28 1946
- £200 if you were born before September 28 1946 but the person you live with was born between September 28 1946 and June 27 1960
- £150 if you and the person you live with were both born before September 28 1946
How to claim
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they are eligible. You do not need to claim if you get any of the following:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit
Claims for winter 2026 to 2027 open from September 21 2026. You can challenge a decision about your claim, which is called asking for mandatory reconsideration. If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 27 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
