The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that older state pensioners aged 80 and over will automatically receive a £300 Winter Fuel Payment from mid-November.
This year's Winter Fuel Payment, worth between £100 and £300, will be paid to eligible pensioners across England and Wales to help with heating costs this winter. The DWP has confirmed that pensioners born on or before June 27, 1960, will be eligible, but the exact amount depends on age and individual circumstances.
Eligibility and Payment Amounts
According to the 2026 to 2027 eligibility criteria, older pensioners born before September 28, 1946 (those aged 80 and over) who live alone will receive a £300 Winter Fuel Payment. Younger pensioners born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 (those under 80) who live alone will get a £200 payment. If you live with someone else who is eligible, your payment amount may differ.
Letters were sent out by the DWP to eligible pensioners last month, detailing the total amount and when it will be paid. Payments will be made from mid-November, and in most cases, pensioners will receive the money automatically.
Automatic Payments and Qualifying Criteria
In fresh guidance issued this month, the DWP stated: "You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you have reached State Pension age. You may get a payment if: you were born on or before June 27, 1960 and you lived in England or Wales during the qualifying week. The qualifying week starts on Monday 21 September 2026."
The DWP added: "A Winter Fuel Payment is either £200 or £300 per household. You will get the higher amount if you are 80 years of age or over. You will get a letter in October or November explaining what the total amount is and how it will be paid. Your automatic payment will go into the same account as your pension or other benefits. Payments will be made from mid-November 2026 onwards. Most eligible people will get paid automatically without having to make a claim."
Who Gets Paid Automatically and Claiming Requirements
Most pensioners on any of the following 12 benefits will receive their Winter Fuel Payment automatically from mid-November and do not need to claim it: 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 will need to submit a claim if either of the following apply: you have not got the Winter Fuel Payment before, or you have deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment. Pensioners with a total income over £35,000 will have their Winter Fuel Payment automatically clawed back by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), either by a change in tax code or by adding the amount to Self Assessment tax returns.
The deadline to opt out of receiving a Winter Fuel Payment this year has now passed, but pensioners can opt out of next year's payment from December 21. Opting out will not affect your State Pension, and you do not need to opt out every year as you will not receive a payment in future unless you choose to opt back in. To opt back in, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. To get a payment for winter 2026 to 2027, you will need to contact the service before March 31, 2027.
