The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the four groups who are not eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. The annual, tax-free lump sum is given to people in England and Wales to help cover heating costs during the winter. The payment can vary between £100 and £300.
Who is eligible
The UK government has said that in order to receive the Winter Fuel Payment, you must be born on or before June 27, 1960. The advice said: "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’."
If you're eligible, you'll get a letter in the post in October or November which will tell you how much you'll receive. The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 21 to 27, 2026. This is called the "qualifying week". Any money you get will not affect your other benefits.
Four groups not eligible
The government also shared the four groups of people who cannot receive the payment. You are not eligible if you:
- usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland
- were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of September 21 to September 27, 2026 and the year before that
- need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- were in prison for the whole of the week of September 21 to September 27, 2026
You can challenge a decision about your claim. This is called asking for mandatory reconsideration.
How payments are made
Most Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically in November or December. 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.
If you already receive any of the following benefits, you will get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically so you don't need to check if you're eligible: 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, and Industrial Death Benefit.
If you do not get any of these, you need to claim if either of the following apply: you’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment before, or you’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment.
You can choose to opt out of receiving the Winter Fuel Payment. To opt you can either: use the Manage your State Pension service before 11:59pm on September 20, 2026 (if you get a State Pension), complete the opt out form before 11:59pm on September 20, 2026, or call the helpline before 6pm on September 18, 2026.
