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Winter Fuel Payment
A yearly payment to help older people with heating bills, usually paid automatically in November or December. In Scotland it's been replaced by Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
Who can get it
For winter 2026 to 2027, you could get it if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and lived in England, Wales or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026. You don't need to be on any benefits.
See what you could get
Answer a few plain questions and get a list of the benefits and help you're likely to get, with amounts and links to apply.
Check what I can getHow much
| Your situation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, living alone or with someone who doesn't qualify | £200 |
| Born before 28 September 1946 (80 or over), same | £300 |
| Couple, both born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960 | £100 each |
| Couple, both born before 28 September 1946 | £150 each |
Rates differ for people in care homes or on certain benefits; GOV.UK has the full table.
The £35,000 income rule
If your own total income is over £35,000, HMRC takes the payment back, through your tax code or Self Assessment. Only your individual income counts, not a partner's. You can opt out of future payments if you'd rather not get it and pay it back.
Scotland: Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
People of State Pension age in Scotland get Pension Age Winter Heating Payment of between £105.55 and £316.70, usually automatically, with letters from November 2026. The same £35,000 rule applies.
Links
- Winter Fuel Payment on GOV.UK
- Winter Fuel Payment on nidirect
- Pension Age Winter Heating Payment on mygov.scot
Also check Pension Credit: it brings the Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments too.
Sources
Every figure on this page is copied from these official pages, for April 2026 to March 2027 (checked 3 November 2026):
This is a guide, not advice. The office that runs each benefit decides who gets it. Rules can change.