Winter Fuel Payments due in November and December 2026: who gets £100 to £300

Pensioners who qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment are due to receive between £100 and £300 during November and December 2026.

Most people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will get the money automatically, although some will need to make a claim.

And while £300 is the highest payment available, not everyone will receive that amount.

Here’s who qualifies, when the money should arrive and what to check if you’re still waiting.

When will Winter Fuel Payments arrive?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says most payments will be made automatically during November and December 2026.

There’s no single payment date for everyone, so yours could arrive before or after someone else’s.

If you’re eligible, you should receive a letter in October or November telling you how much you’ll get and which bank account the money will go into.

This will usually be the same account where you receive your State Pension or other benefits.

If you’re working out your winter budget while waiting for the payment, our October 2026 energy price cap guide explains the latest rates and what they could mean for your bills.

Who can get a Winter Fuel Payment?

You could qualify if you:

• Were born on or before 27 June 1960.
• Usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Your circumstances during the week of 21 to 27 September 2026 are used to work out your entitlement.

You don’t need to receive Pension Credit to qualify.

However, there are some exceptions. For example, certain people living in care homes, those in prison during the qualifying week and people who have been in hospital receiving free treatment for a year or more may not qualify.

You can check the full eligibility rules on GOV.UK.

How much will you receive?

The amount depends on your age, who you live with and whether you receive certain benefits.

If you live alone, or nobody else in your home qualifies, you’ll normally get:

• £200 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960.
• £300 if you were born before 28 September 1946.

If you live with another eligible person, the amount can be different.

For example, a couple who are both under 80 could receive £100 each, while a couple who are both 80 or over could receive £150 each.

Different amounts can apply if you receive Pension Credit or certain other benefits, particularly if you claim jointly.

You can check exactly how much you should receive using the government’s payment breakdown.

What if your income is over £35,000?

There’s an important rule for pensioners with higher incomes.

If your individual annual income is over £35,000, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will normally take back your Winter Fuel Payment through the tax system.

This is based on your own income, not your household’s combined income.

For example, if you and your partner each earn £25,000 a year, neither of you would be over the limit, even though your combined income is £50,000.

Income can include your State Pension, private pensions, earnings and other taxable income.

Most people won’t need to do anything to repay the money. HMRC will usually collect it by changing their tax code or through Self Assessment.

It’s also worth knowing that the deadline to opt out of receiving a payment for winter 2026/27 has already passed.

You can read more about the £35,000 income rule and how repayments work.

Do you need to apply?

Most people don’t.

If you already receive the State Pension, Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance or certain other benefits, your payment should normally arrive automatically.

However, you may need to claim if you don’t receive any of the benefits listed by DWP and either:

• You’ve never received a Winter Fuel Payment before.
• You’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment.

Claims can now be made by phone or post.

The deadline for winter 2026/27 is 31 March 2027.

If you’re unsure, check whether you need to claim before waiting for the money to arrive.

What about Scotland and Northern Ireland?

The rules are different depending on where you live.

Northern Ireland

Winter Fuel Payments follow the same main eligibility rules and payment amounts as England and Wales.

Eligible pensioners should receive a letter in October or November showing how much they’ll get and an estimated payment date.

Scotland

Scotland has its own scheme called the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

For winter 2026/27, eligible pensioners could receive between £105.55 and £316.70, depending on their circumstances.

Payments are due to start in November 2026 and continue throughout winter, so they won’t necessarily all arrive before Christmas.

Most people will be paid automatically, although some may need to apply. The individual £35,000 income rule also applies.

You can check payment amounts and dates on mygov.scot.

What if your Winter Fuel Payment doesn’t arrive?

If you’re expecting a payment but haven’t received it during November, it doesn’t necessarily mean something has gone wrong.

Most payments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected during November and December.

However, if you haven’t received your letter or the money hasn’t arrived by 27 January 2027, DWP says you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

You can call 0800 731 0160, Monday to Friday, between 8am and 6pm.

In Scotland, you should contact Social Security Scotland if your Pension Age Winter Heating Payment hasn’t arrived by the start of March 2027.

Be careful of unexpected texts or emails asking you to provide bank details to receive your payment. Most payments are automatic, and these messages could be scams.

If you’re having difficulty paying your heating bills while waiting, our guide to getting help when you can’t pay your bills explains where to turn for support.