The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is sending letters to state pensioners from October, confirming automatic payments of up to £300. The letters detail the exact Winter Fuel Payment amount each recipient will receive to help with heating bills for winter 2026 to 2027.
Who is eligible for the payment?
State pensioners are eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if they were born on or before June 27, 1960, and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Payments range from £100 to £300, depending on age and individual circumstances.
However, not everyone who receives the payment is entitled to keep it. Those with an individual income over £35,000 will have the money taken back by HMRC.
Payment amounts and timing
According to DWP eligibility criteria for winter 2026 to 2027, those living alone and born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 will receive £200. Those living alone and born before September 28, 1946 will receive £300.
For pensioners living with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, the amount may differ if they receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
The DWP 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."
The amount is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 21 and 27, 2026, known as the 'qualifying week'. The DWP confirmed that any money received will not affect other benefits.
How HMRC reclaims overpayments
If income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will take back the Winter Fuel Payment by either changing the tax code or adding the amount to a Self Assessment tax return. The DWP advises pensioners to check if their total income is over the threshold and how HMRC will reclaim it.
Most eligible pensioners receive the payment automatically and do not need to claim if they receive State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), income-related ESA, awards from the War Pensions Scheme, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Benefit or Industrial Death Benefit.
How to claim and deadlines
Those who do not receive any of these benefits may need to apply if they have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before or have deferred their State Pension since their last payment.
Pensioners can claim by phone from Monday, October 19, 2026, by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0900 731 0160. Claims for winter 2026 to 2027 must be made by March 31, 2027. Postal claims can be submitted by completing an online form and sending it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
The deadline to opt out of this year's payment has passed, but pensioners can opt out of next year's payment from December 21. Opting out does not affect State Pension and does not need to be repeated annually, as no future payments will be made unless the pensioner opts back in by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before March 31, 2027.
