State pensioners who are not automatically receiving their Winter Fuel Payment must make a phone call to claim the money, which can be worth up to £300 depending on their circumstances. The Government has confirmed that claims can be made by phone from today, October 19, 2026, with a deadline of March 2027.
Who needs to claim?
According to the Government's Winter Fuel Payment support page, you need to claim the money if either of the following applies: you have not got the Winter Fuel Payment before, or you have deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment. Those who are eligible should automatically receive the payment from October, but not all retirees are receiving it without action.
Deferring the State Pension can be financially beneficial, as it can help avoid tax by moving your income to a later year after you finish working. It also increases your State Pension payments by 5.9% per year for the rest of your life, which can be profitable if you are in good health and expect to live longer. However, if that is not expected, it is important to consider whether it will benefit you, as you could lose out.
Payment amounts for 2026
The exact amount you can get in your Winter Fuel Payment depends on your circumstances as of September 21 to 27, 2026. According to the 2026 rules, those born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 who live with another state pensioner born in the same timeframe will receive £100 each.
If you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960, but the person you live with was born before September 28, 1946, you will also receive £100. The payment rises to £150 each if both you and the person you live with were born before September 28, 1946. You get £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.
For solo state pensioners who do not live with another state pensioner, the rules are simpler: you get £200 if you were aged under 80 during the recent qualifying week, and £300 if you were over 80.
How to claim and repayment rules
The payments are sent out to everyone by default, with those who earn more than £35,000 expected to pay it back to HMRC, either through a change of tax code or via a self-assessment tax return for those who already have income to declare, such as rental income.
The Government explains: “You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible. If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim. The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 21 to 27 September 2026. This is called the ‘qualifying week’. Any money you get will not affect your other benefits. HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either: changing your tax code; [or] adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return.”
In order to make a claim, you can claim the Winter Fuel Payment by post from September 21, 2026, or by phone from October 19, 2026. The number to call is 0800 731 0160.
