The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed when eligible pensioners will start receiving their Winter Fuel Payment (WFP), with letters being sent out from next month.
Most people of qualifying age automatically receive the WFP, a state benefit paid by the DWP, providing older people with between £100 and £300 to help with heating costs. Eligible pensioners will receive payments of between £100 and £300 again this winter to help pay for their heating bills in the colder months.
Qualifying week and eligibility
The Government website explains that the amount you receive is "based on when you were born and your circumstances between 21 and September 27, 2026. This is called the ‘qualifying week’".
"You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland," it explains. Other eligibility criteria apply. For example, the benefit is not available to people living in a care home who have lived there for the whole time from 29 June 2026 or earlier and get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Payment dates and letters
The DWP says if you're eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much WFP you’ll get, as reported by Manchester Evening News. Those who think they're eligible but don't get a letter are told to check whether they need to make a claim on the GOV.UK website.
Most people who are eligible will be paid in November or December 2026, the website says. The cash is paid out to individual pensioners rather than households, meaning two eligible people would receive separate payments, though it will be less in total than what a pensioner living alone would receive.
Exceptions and regional differences
However, pensioners who have an yearly taxable income of £35,000 or more aren't eligible but are still given the cash, with the HMRC recovering it later through the tax system.
The WFP is paid out in England and Wales, as well as in Northern Ireland under devolved powers, though the benefit and eligibility criteria is mostly the same. The Winter Fuel Payment isn't available in Scotland, but you might be eligible for Pension Age Winter Heating payment, the Scottish equivalent.
You can find out more about eligibility and how to apply on the GOV.UK website.
