In short: For winter 2026/27, Winter Fuel Payment is £100 to £300 if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Most people are paid automatically in November or December 2026. If your own income is over £35,000, HMRC takes it back through tax. Scotland has the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead.
Key facts
- For winter 2026 to 2027 you can get Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 27 June 1960; payments range from £100 to £300. Source
- The qualifying week is 21 to 27 September 2026, and most payments are made in November or December 2026. Source
- If your total income is over £35,000, HMRC takes the payment back, usually through your tax code; your partner's income doesn't count. Source
- In Scotland, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment for 2026/27 is between £105.55 and £316.70. Source
- The Winter Fuel Payment Centre is on 0800 731 0160, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Source
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Winter Fuel Payment is a yearly, tax-free payment towards heating for people around State Pension age. The rules changed recently: it now goes to most older people again, but HMRC takes it back from anyone whose own income is over £35,000. This guide covers winter 2026/27 and was checked against GOV.UK, nidirect and Scottish Government sources on 26 October 2026.
Who can get Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2026/27?
According to GOV.UK, you can get it if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and you usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Your circumstances during the qualifying week, 21 to 27 September 2026, decide whether you get it and how much.
You usually won't get it if, for the qualifying week, you:
- usually lived outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland (including Scotland)
- were in prison for the whole week
- were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole week and the year before
- have a visa that says you cannot claim public funds
There is also a care-home rule: if you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related ESA and had lived in a care home for the whole time from 29 June 2026 or earlier, you won't get it.
How much is Winter Fuel Payment in 2026/27?
Between £100 and £300. Your amount depends on your date of birth and who you live with. These figures are from GOV.UK's how much you'll get page.
| Your situation in the qualifying week | Born 28 Sep 1946 to 27 Jun 1960 | Born before 28 Sep 1946 |
|---|---|---|
| Live alone, or no one you live with is eligible | £200 | £300 |
| Get Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA (not a joint claim) | £200 | £300 |
| Joint claim for one of those benefits (one payment to one of you) | £200 if both in this band | £300 if one or both born before 28 Sep 1946 |
| Live with another eligible person, neither on those benefits — they're in the younger band | £100 | £200 |
| Live with another eligible person, neither on those benefits — they're in the older band | £100 | £150 |
| Live in a care home | £100 | £150 |
In plain terms: couples who both qualify and aren't on a means-tested benefit usually get the money split between them.
Do I need to claim?
Most people don't. GOV.UK says you're paid automatically if you get State Pension or one of several other benefits, including Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, PIP, Carer's Allowance, DLA or income-related ESA.
You may need to claim if:
- you've never had a Winter Fuel Payment before and don't get one of those benefits, or
- you've deferred your State Pension since your last payment.
You can claim by phone (from 19 October 2026) or by post, and the deadline is 31 March 2027. Have your National Insurance number and bank details ready.
When is Winter Fuel Payment paid?
- Letter: October or November 2026, telling you how much and which account it goes into.
- Payment: most people are paid in November or December 2026.
- Missing payment: if you've had no letter or payment by 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 (Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 731 0160), Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
nidirect warns that Winter Fuel Payment staff won't text or email asking for your bank details, so treat any message like that as a scam.
What is the £35,000 rule?
If your total income is over £35,000, HMRC will take the payment back. Only your own income counts — your partner's income doesn't.
How it's collected, according to GOV.UK:
- Most people: HMRC adjusts your tax code, so a little more tax comes out of your pension or wages over the year.
- Self Assessment: it's added to your tax bill.
- Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: you can't repay it through your software; wait for a letter from HMRC.
- Two years at once: if HMRC collects two winters' payments together, your monthly tax will rise more. GOV.UK gives an example of roughly £30 to £33 more a month for two £200 payments.
You can't simply hand the money back yourself. If you'd rather not receive it, you'll need to opt out.
Can I opt out?
Not for winter 2026 to 2027. GOV.UK says you can opt out for 2027 to 2028 from 21 December 2026. If you previously opted out and want to opt back in for this winter, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 31 March 2027.
Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland: Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
You can't get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in Scotland. Social Security Scotland pays the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead.
- Amount for winter 2026/27: between £105.55 and £316.70, depending on age and household, according to the Scottish Government.
- Who: people who had reached State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week, 21 to 27 September 2026 (Social Security Scotland).
- Automatic: most people don't need to apply. mygov.scot has a checker for the small number who do.
- When: payments start in November 2026.
- £35,000 rule: the same as the rest of the UK — HMRC recovers it from people whose individual income is over £35,000. The opt-out deadline for this winter was midday on 19 October 2026.
Social Security Scotland's phone number is 0800 182 2222.
Winter Fuel Payment in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland follows the same rules. nidirect confirms the £100 to £300 range, the 27 June 1960 birth-date cut-off and the 21 to 27 September 2026 qualifying week. Payment is automatic for most people, and you'll get a letter in October or November with the amount and an estimated payment date. The £35,000 HMRC rule and opt-out dates are the same.
Other winter payments from DWP
Winter Fuel Payment is one of several winter schemes, and you may get more than one:
- Cold Weather Payment — £25 for each freezing 7-day spell if you get certain benefits such as Pension Credit.
- Warm Home Discount — a £150 discount on your electricity bill if you get certain means-tested benefits.
If you're over State Pension age and on a low income, it's worth checking whether you could get Pension Credit, as it unlocks several of these.
How this links to being ready for winter
The payment helps with the bill, but winter readiness is also about what happens if the heating or power goes off.
- Join the Priority Services Register. It's free and gives older people and others extra help from energy and water companies, including during power cuts. See our Priority Services Register guide.
- Keep a power cut box with a torch, spare batteries, a radio, warm layers and blankets. Our power cuts guide has a full list.
- Keep warm safely. GOV.UK's Be Ready advice is to heat the rooms you use most to at least 18°C and get heating appliances checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Check on neighbours. Be Ready encourages checking on older neighbours, family and friends in cold weather and offering practical help.
A simple household emergency plan — with contacts, medication lists and where your benefit letters are kept — makes it easier for family or carers to help.
Limitations
This page is general information, not tax, benefits or financial advice. Rules and amounts were checked on 26 October 2026 and may change; GOV.UK, nidirect, mygov.scot and HMRC are the official sources. Rules differ in Scotland. If you're unsure, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre or Social Security Scotland. In an emergency, call 999.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is the Winter Fuel Payment for 2026/27?
Between £100 and £300, depending on your age and who you live with during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026. Someone born before 28 September 1946 who lives alone gets £300; someone born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960 who lives alone gets £200.
When is Winter Fuel Payment paid?
GOV.UK says most people are paid in November or December 2026, and you'll get a letter in October or November saying how much. If you've had no letter or payment by 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
Do I have to pay Winter Fuel Payment back if my income is over £35,000?
Yes. HMRC takes it back, usually by adjusting your tax code, or through your Self Assessment bill if you file one. Only your own income counts, not your partner's.
Can I opt out of Winter Fuel Payment?
Not for winter 2026 to 2027. GOV.UK says you can opt out for 2027 to 2028 from 21 December 2026.
Do I need to claim Winter Fuel Payment?
Most people don't. You may need to claim if you've never had it before, or you've deferred your State Pension and don't get another listed benefit. The claim deadline is 31 March 2027.
Can I get Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland?
No. People in Scotland may get the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland instead, worth £105.55 to £316.70 for winter 2026/27.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Winter Fuel Payment
- GOV.UK — Winter Fuel Payment: how much you'll get
- nidirect — Winter Fuel Payment
- mygov.scot — Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
- Social Security Scotland — Pensioners to benefit from winter heating support (31 July 2026)
- Scottish Government — Winter heating help for over 1 million people (30 September 2026)
- GOV.UK — Cold Weather Payment
- Be Ready (GOV.UK) — Cold weather, snow and ice