DWP Winter Fuel Payment 2026 letters to be sent in October - but not everyone will get one

DWP Winter Fuel Payment 2026 letters to be sent in October - but not everyone will get one If you're worried about energy bills, it can be helpful to know what help you are entitled to If you were born on or before June 27, 1960, you may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment. Administered by the Department of Work and Pensions, it is worth between £100 and £300 to help cover heating costs in winter 2026/27. Most eligible people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically. This means that if you qualify, you should receive a letter this month or in November, confirming how much you’ll get. If you receive a letter, most eligible people will get the payment in November or December 2026. However, not everyone will get their letter during those two months. Can I get the 2026 Winter Fuel Payment? Some people can get a Winter Fuel Payment if they were born on or before June 27, 1960, and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You will not be eligible if you: - Usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland - Were visiting England, Wales or Northern Ireland on September 21 to 27, 2026 (the ‘qualifying week’), but usually live somewhere else - Were in the hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of September 21 to 27, 2026 and the year before that - Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds - Were in prison for the whole of the week of September 21 to 27, 2026 You don't need to do anything You do not need to claim if you 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 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 My parents live in a care home, can they get it? People living in a care home may be able to claim the Winter Fuel Payment, but they will not be eligible if both of the following apply: - They get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - They lived in a care home for the whole time from June 29, 2026 or earlier How much money will I get? How much you get depends on your date of birth and your situation during September 21 to 27, 2026, also called the “qualifying week." It won’t affect any other benefits you get. If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll receive. If you don’t get a letter but think you qualify, check whether you need to claim. If your income is more than £35,000, HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either changing your tax code or adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return. 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 September 28 1946 and June 27, 1960 - £300 if you were born before September 28, 1946 If you live with someone else who’s eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, your payment may be different if you get one of the following benefits: - Pension Credit - Universal Credit - income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) If you do not get any of the benefits, you’ll get a payment of: - £100 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 - £100 if you were born between September 28, 1946, and June 27, 1960, but the person you live with was born before September 28 1946 - £200 if you were born before September 28, 1946, but the person you live with was born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 - £150 if you and the person you live with were both born before September 28, 1946 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 September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 - £300 if one or both of you were born before September 28, 1946 You’ll be paid into the bank account your benefits are usually paid into. 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 September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 - £300 if you were born before September 28, 1946 If you live in a care home and you’re eligible, you’ll get either: - £100 if you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 - £150 if you were born before September 28, 1946 If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 27, 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. HMRC scams You could receive calls, emails or messages that claim to be from a government service such as HMRC. If you’re asked for personal information, such as bank details or passwords, it may be a scam. Report anything that seems suspicious.