The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the 12 groups who will receive the Winter Fuel Payment automatically and do not need to make a claim. More than 10 million people in the UK could receive up to £300 as part of the scheme.
Eligibility and Qualifying Week
To receive the Winter Fuel Payment, you must be born on or before June 27, 1960. The amount you receive is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 21 to 27, 2026, referred to as Qualifying Week. After this week, people will have to wait until they receive a letter in the post.
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, Industrial Death Benefit.
Claiming and Payment Dates
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.
An exact payment date is yet to be announced, but the DWP usually aims to send payments out in November and 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.
Who is Not Eligible
You will not be 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 27, 2026 and the year before that, need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds, or were in prison for the whole of the week of September 21 to 27, 2026.
