Winter Fuel Payments 2026/27

For full details please visit www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

 

Scam Warning 

Please be advised that there are several known scams being sent by text and email where the scammer is trying to get you to respond to their text/email.

DO NOT respond to these messages. DWP will NOT contact you to make a claim. Most people do not need to make a claim.

If you do need to make a claim, you should contact the DWP directly by post or phone as shown below. 

You will only need to make a 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

 

Overview of Winter Fuel Payments 2026/27

If you were born before 28 June 1960 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2026 to 2027. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they're eligible. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive a letter in October or November saying how much you will receive.

Most eligible people will be paid in November or December 2026.

 This year, if your income is over £35 000, you will not be entitled and the Winter Fuel Payment will be taken back by HMRC by changing your tax code for 2026/27 or by adding the amount to your  Self-Assessment tax return.

The amount you receive will depend on your age, if you have a partner and on any benefits your receive. Please visit www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-much-youll-get for the full details.

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

How to claim

The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2025 to 2026 was 31 March 2026. Claims for winter 2026 to 2027 open from 21 September 2026.

 

Claim by phone 
Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to claim by phone.

Telephone: 0800 731 0160

Textphone: contact Relay UK on 18001 then 0800 731 0160

British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you're on a computer  

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

 

Claim by post 
Fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form and send it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. 

Claim Form

Winter Fuel Payment Centre

Mail Handling Site A

Wolverhampton

WV98 1LR