The Winter Fuel Payment is paid automatically to most people who are entitled. However, the DWP says there are two instances where you might need to apply for it. The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free lump sum provided by the government to help older people in the UK with their energy bills over the winter months. As energy costs increase thanks to the war in the Middle East, assistance like this is seen as increasingly important for Brits who might otherwise struggle to cover the cost of things like heating their homes.
The Winter Fuel Payment is given to people above State Pension Age. For the 2026/27 winter period, that means people born on or before June 28, 1960. However, your birthday determines how much you actually get. Meanwhile, there is a list of qualifying benefits that make you automatically entitled to the payment. But people in two circumstances might need to take action.
The government says people do not need to claim if they get any of the following:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit
However, if you do not get any of these, you need to claim if either of the following apply:
- You’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment before
- You’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment
Claims for winter 2026 to 2027 open from 21 September 2026.
How much you get depends on your birth date and your circumstances. If your income is above £35,000 per year, HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either changing your tax code or adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return.
Meanwhile, if you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you’ll get either £200 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, or £300 if you were born before 28 September 1946.
The DWP says your payment may be different if you receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
If you don’t receive any of those benefits, you could receive the following
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either £200 if both of you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, or £300 if one or both of you were born before 28 September 1946.
If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim), you’ll get a payment of either £200 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, or £300 if you were born before 28 September 1946.
And finally, if you live in a care home and you’re eligible, you’ll get either £100 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, or £150 if you were born before 28 September 1946.
