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Winter Fuel Payment

A one-off £200–£300 payment toward winter heating bills for people over State Pension age. From winter 2025–26 it is paid automatically to almost all pensioner households, but anyone with an individual income over £35,000 has it recovered through the tax system. Scotland runs its own Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, now on a household age-band scale (£105.55–£316.70 for 2026–27).

Official linksLast verified 28 September 2026

Who it helps

Almost everyone over State Pension age receives it automatically (England, Wales, NI); those with an individual income over £35,000 have it recovered through the tax system, and Pension Credit recipients are exempt from that test. In Scotland it is paid as the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment on a household age-band scale.

The full picture

Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off annual payment toward energy bills for older people. It's paid in November or December and shows on bank statements as "DWP Winter Fuel".

Who gets it (England, Wales, Northern Ireland): - You're over State Pension age (66+ in 2026) during the qualifying week — 21 to 27 September 2026 - From winter 2025–26 the payment is no longer limited to people on Pension Credit. Almost every household with someone over State Pension age is paid automatically — in most cases there is nothing to claim.

The £35,000 income test: - Everyone eligible is paid first. Then, if your own taxable income for the year is over £35,000, HMRC recovers your share of the payment in full through the tax system (a change to your PAYE tax code, or via Self Assessment). There is no taper — being £1 over means the whole amount is recovered. - The test is on each individual's income, not the household's. If you receive Pension Credit or another qualifying means-tested benefit during the qualifying week, the £35,000 test does not apply to you and the payment is never recovered. - If you'd rather not receive it and pay it back, you can opt out — online by 11:59pm on 20 September 2026, or by phone by 6pm on 18 September 2026.

Amount: - £200 if everyone in the household is under 80 - £300 if anyone in the household is 80 or over (Where a couple both qualify, the household amount is usually split between them.)

Scotland: Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaces the Winter Fuel Payment and is run by Social Security Scotland. For winter 2026–27 it is paid on a household age-band scale, between £105.55 and £316.70: - £316.70 — single person aged 80 or over - £211.15 — single person aged 66 to 79 - £158.35 each — couple where someone is 80 or over - £105.55 each — couple both aged 66 to 79 - £105.55 — someone in relevant residential care The same £35,000 individual-income test and HMRC recovery apply.

If you think you're eligible but haven't received it, call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 (England/Wales/NI) or contact Social Security Scotland for the Scottish payment.

Worth knowing before you apply

  • Paid automatically to almost all pensioner households from winter 2025–26 — you no longer need Pension Credit to qualify
  • Recovered in full through the tax system if your individual income is over £35,000 (no taper) — Pension Credit recipients are exempt from this test
  • You can opt out if you'd prefer not to receive it and pay it back — online by 20 Sep 2026, by phone by 18 Sep 2026
  • £200 (under 80) or £300 (80+) per household — paid as a one-off in November/December
  • Qualifying week is 21–27 September 2026 — you must be over State Pension age then
  • Scotland uses Pension Age Winter Heating Payment — £105.55 to £316.70 for 2026–27 on a household age-band scale, run by Social Security Scotland
  • Doesn't affect Pension Credit, Universal Credit or other means-tested benefits — it's not income for those purposes

How to claim

Most people don't need to apply — if you're over State Pension age the payment usually arrives automatically in November or December. If you think you're eligible but haven't received it, call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 (England/Wales/NI) or contact Social Security Scotland for the Scottish payment. If your income is over £35,000 and you'd prefer not to receive it, you can opt out before the September deadline.

Apply for Winter Fuel Payment (nidirect)

Independent advice

More help is out there

If your situation is complex, these UK-wide charities and government services can give free, independent advice.

Last verified 28 September 2026
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