The short answer
- Who: people born on or before 27 June 1960 who usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
- How much: £100 to £300, depending on your age and who you live with.
- When: most people are paid automatically in November or December 2026.
- Income over £35,000? You still get paid, but HMRC takes it back through your tax code or Self Assessment. Only your own income counts, not your partner's.
How much you get
| If you live alone (or with nobody else eligible) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960 | £200 |
| Born before 28 September 1946 | £300 |
If you live with someone else who's also eligible, or in a care home, you get a smaller or shared amount. GOV.UK has the full table.
Your amount is based on your situation during the qualifying week, 21 to 27 September 2026.
Do I need to claim?
Most people don't. If you get the State Pension or certain other benefits, it's paid automatically. If you've never had it before and don't get a pension or benefits, you may need to claim. Claims for this winter opened on 21 September 2026.
Not paid by 27 January 2027? Contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
Scotland
You can't get the Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland. Look up the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland instead.
What it covers
At today's gas price of 7.97p per kWh, £200 buys about 2,509 kWh of gas: roughly a quarter of a typical home's yearly heating. See what a gas boiler costs to run.
You might also get the £150 Warm Home Discount if you receive Pension Credit.
Sources: GOV.UK Winter Fuel Payment.