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Millions of older people are due to receive letters about their Winter Fuel Payment in October or November, with most eligible pensioners expected to get the money before the end of the year.
Pensioners are being urged to check when their Winter Fuel Payment will arrive, with payments of up to £300 available to help with heating bills this winter.
Most eligible people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive the money automatically, with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) expected to make most payments in November or December 2026.
Eligible pensioners should receive a letter in October or November explaining how much they will get.
The amount depends on their age and living arrangements during the qualifying week, which ran from 21 to 27 September 2026.
When will the Winter Fuel Payment be paid?
Most eligible pensioners will receive their Winter Fuel Payment in November or December 2026.
Letters confirming how much people will receive are due to arrive in October or November.
If you think you qualify but do not receive a letter, the Government advises checking whether you need to make a claim.
The payment is intended to help with heating costs over winter and will not affect any other benefits you receive.
Who can get the Winter Fuel Payment?
You could qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
However, not everyone who meets the age requirement will be eligible.
You will not qualify in certain circumstances, including if you usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland, were in prison for the entire qualifying week, or were in hospital receiving free treatment for the whole qualifying week and the year before.
People whose immigration permission says they cannot claim public funds may also be excluded.
Different rules apply to some people living in care homes.
Pensioners could miss out on £300 Winter Fuel Payment despite being the right age https://t.co/eI4jtsHT1c
— Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) October 6, 2026
How much will you get?
Eligible pensioners can receive between £100 and £300, depending on their date of birth, household circumstances and whether they receive certain benefits, according to gov.uk.
If you live alone, or nobody else in your household qualifies for the payment, you could receive:
- £200 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960.
- £300 if you were born before 28 September 1946.
The amount can be different if you live with another person who is also eligible.
For example, if you and your partner jointly claim certain benefits, you could receive a combined payment of £200 or £300, depending on your ages.
People who receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance may have different payment arrangements, depending on their circumstances.
Eligible people living in care homes can receive £100 or £150, depending on their date of birth and circumstances.
Today's Poll: Do you support cutting/scrapping the energy Standing Charge, even if the cost was shifted to increase the price of each unit of energy used? Meaning net result: lower use is cheaper, higher use costs more
— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) October 7, 2026
Will you need to claim the Winter Fuel Payment?
Most eligible pensioners will receive the payment automatically.
However, if you believe you qualify but do not receive a letter, you should check the Government's guidance to see whether you need to make a claim.
The payment will normally go into the bank account used for your benefits, where applicable.
What happens if your income is over £35,000?
Pensioners whose total individual income is over £35,000 will have their Winter Fuel Payment reclaimed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Your partner's income does not count towards your own income threshold.
HMRC can recover the money by changing your tax code or adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return.
This means some pensioners may receive the payment initially but have to pay it back through the tax system.
What if you live in Scotland?
People living in Scotland cannot receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
They may instead qualify for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, which is administered under Scotland's separate system.
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Watch out for Winter Fuel Payment scams
Pensioners should be wary of unexpected calls, emails or text messages claiming to be about their Winter Fuel Payment.
Messages asking for passwords, bank details or other personal information could be scams.
If you receive a suspicious message, do not click links or provide your details. Use official Government channels to check your entitlement.