Winter Fuel Payment 2026/27: £100 to £300 for pensioners, most paid in November or December

The Winter Fuel Payment is meant to help pensioners pay for heating during the colder months. According to GOV.UK, people born on or before 27 June 1960 can qualify. The amount depends on date of birth, circumstances in the qualifying week (21 to 27 September 2026) and any benefits being received.

How much you could get

The £300 figure is the highest possible amount, not the rate for everyone. People born before 28 September 1946 who live alone, or with someone who does not qualify, can get £300. People born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960 usually get £200.

Where you live with another eligible person, amounts can be lower. Payments also work differently for people who get Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA. The payment does not affect other benefits. People living in Scotland cannot get it, but may be eligible for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

When the money arrives

Most eligible people will be paid automatically in November or December 2026. Before the payment, you should receive a letter in October or November showing the amount and the bank account it will go into. If the money has not arrived by 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

Who will not get it

The payment is not available to people who:

• usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland,
• were in hospital receiving free treatment for the whole of the qualifying week (the condition also applies to the year before),
• need permission to enter the UK and whose granted leave says they cannot claim public funds,
• were in prison for the whole of the qualifying week,
• live in a care home, get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related ESA, and have lived in a care home for the whole time from 29 June 2026 or earlier.

If your total income is over £35,000, HMRC will take the payment back, usually through your tax code or your Self Assessment return. You can no longer opt out for 2026 to 2027. The option to opt out for 2027 to 2028 opens on 21 December 2026.

What this means for you

The payment is for people born on or before 27 June 1960 who live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You do not need to claim if you already receive the State Pension, Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, among others. People who do not receive any of these, and have not had the payment before or have deferred their State Pension, must claim by 31 March 2027. Claims can be made by post from 21 September 2026 or by phone from 19 October 2026. People subject to immigration control cannot make a claim.