Winter Fuel Payment 2026/27: DWP has published the claim form

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published on GOV.UK a form that can be used to claim Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2026/27. The page with the form was updated on 21 September 2026, and the description from the DWP feed appeared on 20 October 2026.

What Winter Fuel Payment is

It is a payment that helps older people cover their heating bills. According to the official government website, it can be received by people born on or before 27 June 1960. The amount is between £100 and £300, depending on the person's circumstances.

Who needs to make a claim

Most eligible people receive the payment automatically and do not need to send anything. The form is intended for people who will not be paid automatically. GOV.UK has a separate subpage where you can check whether a claim is needed at all.

Timing

Eligible people should receive a letter stating the amount in October or November. Most payments are due to reach accounts in November or December 2026.

Income above £35,000

The government reminds people whose total income exceeds £35,000 that they must repay the payment through HMRC. Details are on a separate GOV.UK subpage. It is also possible to opt out of the payment.

What this means for Poles in the UK

The news concerns Poles who live in the United Kingdom and were born on or before 27 June 1960, as well as their parents or relatives of that age. People who will not receive an automatic payment should check on GOV.UK whether they need to make a claim, and do so using the official form. The eligibility rules, for example those relating to residence, are described on the criteria page. It is worth reading them before submitting a claim.