Winter Fuel Payment 2026 to 2027 at a glance
You qualify if you were born on or before 27 June 1960. Most households get £200, or £300 if someone is aged 80 or over. If your own income is over £35,000, HMRC takes the money back through your tax.
How this is worked out
| Your situation | Born 28 Sep 1946 to 27 Jun 1960 | Born before 28 Sep 1946 |
|---|---|---|
| Living alone, or nobody else qualifies | £200 | £300 |
| Living with someone who qualifies, no qualifying benefit | £100 each | £150 or £200, depending on their age |
| Couple getting a qualifying benefit | £200 to one of you | £300 to one of you |
| In a care home, no qualifying benefit | £100 | £150 |
People in a care home who get Pension Credit, Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit, and have lived there since 29 June 2026 or earlier, do not get a payment. If your income is over £35,000, the calculator shows the payment as recovered in full.
Worked example
Barbara, born in 1952, lives with her husband Ken, born in 1944. Neither gets Pension Credit. Barbara gets £100 and Ken, who is over 80, gets £200, so the household gets £300. Ken’s income is £38,000 from two pensions, so HMRC takes his £200 back through his tax code. Barbara’s income is £14,000, so she keeps hers.
Common questions
Who gets Winter Fuel Payment in 2026 to 2027?
Everyone born on or before 27 June 1960 who lives in England, Wales or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026. It is paid automatically if you get the State Pension or another social security benefit.
What is the £35,000 rule?
If your own taxable income for the 2026/27 tax year is over £35,000, HMRC takes the payment back. Your partner’s income does not count towards your £35,000. HMRC usually collects it through your tax code, or adds it to your Self Assessment bill.
Can I opt out of Winter Fuel Payment?
Yes, but the deadline for winter 2026 to 2027 was 20 September 2026 online. If you missed it and your income is over £35,000, HMRC will collect the payment through tax instead.
Why is my payment £100 and not £200?
If you live with someone else who also qualifies and neither of you gets Pension Credit or another qualifying benefit, the payment is split between you.
What about Scotland?
Scotland has Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead, paid by Social Security Scotland. The rules and amounts are similar but not the same, so check mygov.scot.