The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed key dates for the Winter Fuel Payment scheme, with eligible individuals able to receive between £100 and £300 this winter. The qualifying period, which determines the exact amount each person will receive, took place last week.
To receive the payment, you must be born on or before June 27, 1960. The amount you receive is based on your date of birth and your circumstances between September 21 and 27, 2026, a period referred to as Qualifying Week. Following this week, people will need to wait for a letter to arrive in the post.
Payment timing and how to claim
The DWP usually aims to send payments out in November and December. If you do not receive a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 27, 2027, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
Some people will receive the payment automatically. If you already receive any of the following benefits, you do not need to check if you are 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, or Industrial Death Benefit.
If you do not receive any of these benefits, you need to claim if either of the following applies: you have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before, or you have deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment. The deadline to make a claim for winter 2026 to 2027 is March 31, 2027. Any money you receive will not affect your other benefits.
Payment amounts and eligibility
Most payments are made automatically in November or December. According to GOV.UK, you should receive a letter telling you how much you will get and which bank account it will be paid into, usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits.
The amount you receive will depend on your circumstances for the week beginning September 21 to September 27. If you were in hospital the whole week, or in prison for the week, you will not be eligible for payment. The DWP also takes your birth date into consideration.
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), and you lived in a care home for the whole time from June 29, 2026 or earlier. You will also 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 you cannot claim public funds, or were in prison for the whole of the week of September 21 to 27, 2026.
