Winter Fuel Payment 2026: £200 or £300, paid in November or December
If you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you could get between £100 and £300 for winter 2026 to 2027. Most people get it automatically. A letter in October or November tells you how much, and most eligible people are paid in November or December 2026 (GOV.UK).
How much you'll get
| Your date of birth | Living alone, or with someone who doesn't qualify |
|---|---|
| 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960 | £200 |
| Before 28 September 1946 (aged 80 or over) | £300 |
If you live with someone else who also qualifies, the payment is shared:
- Neither of you gets Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA: £100 each if you are both under 80, or £150 each if you are both 80 or over. If one of you is 80 or over, that person gets £200 and the other £100.
- You jointly claim one of those benefits: one of you gets the whole payment, £200 if you are both under 80, or £300 if either of you is 80 or over.
The amount depends on your age and circumstances during the "qualifying week", 21 to 27 September 2026, and it does not affect your other benefits (GOV.UK). Here "under 80" means born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960.
Key dates for winter 2026 to 2027
| 21 to 27 September 2026 | Qualifying week |
|---|---|
| From 19 October 2026 | Claims by phone open, for those who need to claim |
| October or November | Letters say how much you'll get |
| November or December | Most payments go into your bank account |
| 27 January 2027 | No letter or payment by now? Contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre |
| 31 March 2027 | Last day to claim for this winter |
Do I need to claim?
Most people don't. You get it automatically if you get the State Pension or certain other benefits, such as Pension Credit or Personal Independence Payment. You need to claim if you have never had a Winter Fuel Payment before, or if you have put off claiming your State Pension since your last one. You can claim by post, which opened on 21 September, or by phone from 19 October 2026. The deadline is 31 March 2027 (GOV.UK).
If your income is over £35,000
You still get the payment, but HM Revenue and Customs takes it back. Your partner's income doesn't count. HMRC usually collects it through your tax code. If you fill in a Self Assessment tax return, it is added to your tax bill. You can also opt out of receiving it (GOV.UK).
Scotland and other help
If you live in Scotland you cannot get the Winter Fuel Payment, but you might get the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead. If you get Pension Credit or live in a low-income household, you may also get the Warm Home Discount, £150 off your energy bill (GOV.UK).
