What's changingPensions & retirement
Winter Fuel Payment 2026 to 2027: who gets it, how much, and when HMRC takes it back
Most people born on or before 27 June 1960 will get £100 to £300 automatically in November or December. If your own income is over £35,000, HMRC recovers it through your tax code or tax return.
Published 25 October 2026Last checked 25 October 2026England, Wales, Northern Ireland, ScotlandFrom Department for Work and Pensions
Illustration generated with AI
What's happening
If you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you should get a Winter Fuel Payment of £100 to £300 this winter, mostly paid automatically in November or December 2026. Everyone eligible is paid, but if your own total income is over £35,000, HMRC takes the money back through your tax code or Self Assessment. Scotland has its own version, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
The question: Will I get the Winter Fuel Payment this winter, how much will it be, and will I have to pay it back?
This applies to you if…
- You were born on or before 27 June 1960
- You usually lived in England, Wales or Northern Ireland during the week of 21 to 27 September 2026
- You get the State Pension or another qualifying benefit, so you are paid automatically, or you claim by 31 March 2027
Not for you if…
- People living in Scotland, who get the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead
- People born after 27 June 1960
- People in prison for the whole qualifying week
- People whose visa says they have no recourse to public funds
What it's worth
Winter 2026 to 2027, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960 is the younger band; born before 28 September 1946 is the older band.
Tax year Winter 2026 to 2027
How the amount is worked out
- Living alone, or getting Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA (not as part of a joint claim): £200 in the younger band, £300 in the older band.
- Living with another eligible person and neither of you gets those benefits: £100 each if you are both in the younger band, £150 each if you are both in the older band.
- If one of you is in each band and neither gets those benefits: the older person gets £200, the younger person £100.
- On a joint claim for one of those benefits: one payment of £200, or £300 if one or both of you are in the older band.
- Living in a care home: £100 in the younger band, £150 in the older band.
£100 to £300 per person or household, depending on age and circumstances
Figures from GOV.UK for winter 2026 to 2027. Care home residents who get Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA may not qualify.
How to do it
- 1
Letters go out in October or November and say how much you will get and which account it goes into.
- 2
Most payments are made automatically in November or December 2026.
- 3
Claim if you are not paid automatically
You need to claim if you do not get the State Pension or a qualifying benefit and have never had the payment before, or you have put off (deferred) your State Pension since your last payment. Call 0800 731 0160, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, or claim by post.
Takes about 15 minutes
- 4
If you have not had a letter or the money by 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
- 5
Check your tax code or tax return if your income is over £35,000
HMRC recovers the payment through your tax code or Self Assessment. You do not need to contact HMRC to set this up.
Deadline
Last day to claim for winter 2026 to 2027 — 31 March 2027 (in 157 days)
Only needed if you are not paid automatically. Opting out for this winter has closed.
The catches
The £35,000 test is your own income
HMRC looks at each person's total income separately. Your partner's income does not count towards yours. Total income includes pensions, the State Pension, earnings, savings interest and rent.
Recovery comes later, through tax
You are paid in full first. If your income is over £35,000, HMRC takes back the whole payment through your tax code or tax return. For 2025 payments, you cannot pay it back early in one lump sum.
Two payments may be collected at once
GOV.UK says if HMRC is already collecting your 2025 payment, your tax code may change in January 2027 to start collecting the 2026 one too. It gives an example of about £30 to £33 more tax a month if both payments are £200. From April 2027 the tax code also starts collecting the 2027 payment in advance, unless you opt out.
Self Assessment filers repay on the return
If you file a tax return, the 2025 payment goes on your 2025 to 2026 return, due by 31 January 2027. Online returns pre-fill it where possible; on paper you add it yourself.
Opting out for this winter has closed
You can opt out for winter 2027 to 2028 from 21 December 2026. If you opted out of this winter's payment and changed your mind, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 31 March 2027.
Illustrative example
Illustrative example: two neighbours
Joan is 83, lives alone and has total income of £38,000 from two pensions. Ray is 70, lives with his wife who is 67, neither gets Pension Credit, and Ray's own income is £22,000.
- Joan is in the older band and lives alone, so she is paid £300.
- Joan's own income is over £35,000, so HMRC recovers the £300 through her tax code.
- Ray and his wife are both in the younger band and live together without a qualifying benefit, so each gets £100.
- Ray's own income is under £35,000, so he keeps his £100. His wife keeps hers too if her own income is under £35,000.
Joan ends up with nothing after tax. Ray and his wife keep £100 each.
Illustrative only. Ages are at the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026.
What this means for…
- State Pension age or over: Most people at State Pension age are paid automatically. The amount depends on age, who you live with and benefits.
- Retired: If pensions and other income take your own total income over £35,000, HMRC recovers the payment through tax.
- Get benefits: Getting Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA (not jointly) means the full £200 or £300 even if you live with someone.
Common misreadings
You might hear: If our household income is over £35,000, we lose it.
Actually: The test is each person's own total income. A partner's income is not added in.
You might hear: If my income is over £35,000, I won't be paid.
Actually: You are paid as normal. HMRC then recovers it through your tax code or tax return.
You might hear: I have to apply every year.
Actually: Most people who get the State Pension or a qualifying benefit are paid automatically. You only need to claim in a few situations.
Where the UK nations differ
- England and Wales
- Winter Fuel Payment from DWP, £100 to £300.
- Northern Ireland
- Same rules, amounts and dates as England and Wales, according to nidirect.
- Scotland
- Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland, £105.55 to £316.70 depending on household. The same £35,000 income rule applies, recovered through HMRC. The opt-out closed at midday on 19 October 2026.
What you could do
were born on or before 27 June 1960 and do not get the State Pension or a qualifying benefit
Check whether you need to claim, and claim by 31 March 2027.
By 2027-03-31
have not had a letter or payment by 27 January 2027
Contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
By 2027-01-27
are over State Pension age on a low income
Timeline
27 September 2026
End of the qualifying week
21 to 27 September 2026.
1 November 2026
Payment window begins
Most are paid at some point in November or December. No exact dates are published.
21 December 2026
Opt-out for winter 2027 to 2028 opens
27 January 2027
Contact DWP if no letter or payment by now
31 January 2027
Self Assessment deadline
2025 payment repaid on the 2025 to 2026 return if income over £35,000.
31 March 2027
Last day to claim for winter 2026 to 2027
The detail
The rules
- Born on or before 27 June 1960 and usually living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland during 21 to 27 September 2026.
- Older band: born before 28 September 1946. Younger band: born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960.
- If your total income is over £35,000, HMRC recovers the payment. Each person's income is looked at separately.
- Recovery is through your PAYE tax code or Self Assessment.
- The payment does not affect your other benefits.
References
- GOV.UK, how much you'll get: Amounts by age band and household; letters in October or November; payments mostly November or December.
- GOV.UK, if your income is over £35,000: Tax code may change in January 2027 if already collecting the 2025 payment; again in April 2027.
- HMRC press release, 23 October 2026: 2025 payment pre-filled on online 2025 to 2026 returns where possible.
Words explained
- Qualifying week
- The week your age and where you live are checked: 21 to 27 September 2026.
- Total income
- All your taxable income added together, such as pensions, wages, savings interest and rent, before your tax-free allowance.
- Tax code
- A code that tells your pension provider or employer how much tax to take. HMRC can change it to collect money you owe.
- Pension Credit
- A benefit that tops up a low income for people over State Pension age.
- Opt out
- Telling DWP you do not want the payment, so there is nothing to pay back.
In short
If you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, expect £100 to £300 in November or December. If your own income is over £35,000, HMRC takes it back through your tax code or tax return. Scotland has its own payment with the same income rule.
Related dates
- 21 Dec Winter Fuel Payment opt-out for 2027 to 2028 opensChange · in 57 days
- 27 Jan Chase a missing Winter Fuel PaymentDeadline · in 94 days
- 31 Mar Winter Fuel Payment claim deadline (winter 2026 to 2027)Deadline · in 157 days
Sources
- Winter Fuel Payment: eligibility, GOV.UK (2026-10-25)
- Winter Fuel Payment: how much you'll get, GOV.UK (2026-10-25)
- Winter Fuel Payment: how to claim, GOV.UK
- Winter Fuel Payment: if your income is over £35,000, GOV.UK
- Paying back the Winter Fuel Payment, HMRC
- Self Assessment deadline incoming: 100 days to go, HMRC (2026-10-23)
- Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, Social Security Scotland
- Winter Fuel Payment, nidirect
This is guidance, not regulated financial advice. Check figures against the linked official source before you act. Written with AI assistance and checked against primary sources. How Kitty works. For free, impartial help, try MoneyHelper or Citizens Advice.