More than nine million pensioners are set to receive hundreds of pounds to help with heating costs this year through the government’s winter fuel payment scheme, with the first payments arriving this month.
The scheme is designed to help pensioners through the colder months and is available for those born before or on 1960 and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Those who apply could get between £100 and £300 to help with heating bills for winter 2026 to 2027.
There is no single payment date for everyone and payments will be made in stages, with some pensions already receiving their payments.
Pensioners should have already received a letter informing them of how much they will get and which bank account it will be paid into. It’s usually the same account as State Pension or other benefits.
However, some pensioners will miss out as a result of the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) criteria.
A person qualifies for the benefit if their total income is less than £35,000. For those with an income over this amount who receive the benefit, the government has said HMRC will take back the payment.
Those eligible will be automatically paid in November or December this year.
There are four other groups of people who are ineligible for the payment:
- If you usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland
- If you were in hospital for a whole week in September
- If you need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says you cannot claim public funds
- If you were in prison for the whole of the week of 21 to 27 September 2026
Those who live in a care home are still eligible for the winter fuel payment, with one exception. If the individual receives universal credit, pension credit or ESA, and has lived in a care home full-time from 29 June or earlier, then they are not eligible.
The government severely restricted the scheme for the winter of 2024 to only the lowest-income pensioners, before a U-turn last year to once again expand the provision.
HMRC reached out to more than one million pensioners in the category regarding changes to their 2026/27 tax code that will reclaim the winter fuel payment.
The adjustment will see the repayment spread across the entire tax year through the PAYE system. For those under 80, this will mean a deduction of around £17 a month. For those aged 80 or over, it will be £25.
For those who complete a self-assessment tax return, the payment is now required to be included on forms. Those who file online are likely to see this added automatically.
People can no longer opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment for 2026 to 2027. But people can opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment for 2027 to 2028 from 21 December 2026.
Those who earn more than £35,000 will receive the Winter Fuel Payment but HMRC will take it back.
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