The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the full list of people eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment ahead of qualifying week. People born on or before June 27, 1960 will receive between £100 and £300 to help cover the cost of heating bills during the winter months.
Who qualifies for the payment
Winter Fuel Payments will be issued automatically to an estimated nine million pensioners in November and December. Letters will be issued in October and November to inform pensioners on the amount they should expect to receive.
The qualifying period for the payment is September 21 to September 27. This is determined by age and household circumstances, reports Daily Record.
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. You can also get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home.
You will not be eligible if both of the following apply:
- you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- you lived in a care home for the whole time from June 28, 2026 or earlier
How much you can get
DWP guidance said: “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.”
It’s important to be aware scammers may try and trick you into making a claim by text, prompting you to click on a link. This is not an official DWP message and should be deleted. If you think you need to claim, follow the guidance on GOV.UK here.
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". DWP is also reminding pensioners “any money you get will not affect your other benefits”.
If your annual income is over £35,000, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either:
- changing your tax code
- adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return
You can check if your total income is over the threshold and how HMRC will take it back on GOV.UK.
When you will get paid
You will not be eligible if you:
- usually live outside England and Wales
- were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 21 to 27 September, 2026 and the year before that
- need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says you cannot claim public funds
- were in prison for the whole of the week of 21 to 27 September, 2026
To opt out of getting the Winter Fuel Payment, you need to either complete the opt out form before 11:59pm on September 20, 2026, or call the helpline before 6pm on September 18, 2026. You will need to provide your National Insurance number when you use the online form or call the helpline. Full details on GOV.UK.
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for Winter Fuel Payment, you will get either £200 if you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960, or £300 if you were born before September 28, 1946.
If you live with someone else who is eligible, 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 the benefits, you will get a payment of:
- £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
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either £200 if both of you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960, or £300 if one or both of you were born before September 28, 1946. If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim), you’ll get a payment of either £200 if you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960, or £300 if you were born before September 28, 1946.
DWP said most payments will be made automatically in November or December. You should get a letter telling you how much you will get and which bank account it will be paid into - this is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits.
DWP added: “If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.” The full DWP guide to Winter Fuel Payments 2026/27 can be found on GOV.UK.
