Millions of pensioners start receiving up to £300 winter payment - what you need to know

Millions of pensioners in England and Wales are starting to receive between £100 and £300 as this year's winter fuel payment starts to land.

Who gets the winter fuel payment?

If you were born on or before 27 June 1960 you will receive the winter fuel payment - though many have to pay it back.

Most people will receive the payment automatically and will get a letter explaining how much they'll get, while the payment itself will land in November or December.

If you have an income over £35,000, however, HMRC will claw back the payment if you haven't opted out.

You are not eligible if you:

• usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland
• need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says you cannot claim public funds
• were in prison for the whole qualifying week of 21-27 September
• were receiving free hospital treatment throughout this qualifying week and for the year before it

You will also not be eligible if both of these apply: you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance and you lived in a care home for the whole time from 29 June 2026.

While it's automatic for most people, you do need to claim if you've never received the payment before or if you deferred your State Pension since your last winter fuel payment.

All the information on how to claim is on the government's website.

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Here's how much you'll get if...

...you're born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960

• £100: If you live with someone else who was born within a qualifying period (they will get the other £100 or £200)
• £100: If you live in a care home
• £200: If you live alone and no one eligible lives with you

... you're born before 28 September 1946

• £150: If you live with someone else born within this period
• £150: If you live in a care home
• £200: If you live with someone who is born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960 (they will receive the other £100)
• £300: If you live alone and no one eligible lives with you

The above all apply if you do not receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

If you or your partner claims one of those benefits, one person will be paid the whole payment for your household - either £200 or £300, depending on their age.

When will payments be made this year?

If you're eligible, you'll get a letter in October or November confirming how much you'll get. Payments will go directly into your account between November and December.

If you still haven't received anything by January, don't panic - contact the helpline on 0800 731 0160. Claims can be made until 31 March.

I have an income over £35,000 - how will the money be taken back?

HMRC will reclaim the payment by adjusting your PAYE tax code for the 2026-27 tax year or by adding the payment amount to your self-assessment tax return.

We're a couple - only one of us has an income over £35,000

Your partner's income does not count towards your total income, so one of you will qualify and one won't.

Can I still opt out?

Not anymore, you've run out of time to opt out this year.

You'll be able to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment for 2027-28 from 21 December this year.

What income isn't included?

The following are not included in your gross income: income from ISAs, capital gains, tax-free state benefits such as pension credit or attendance allowance and the winter fuel payment itself.

Other help available with energy bills

• A cold weather payment can be payable if you're on certain benefits and the temperature drops to 0C or below for 7 days in a row
• A £150 warm home discount on your bills is available if you get pension credit or live in a low-income household
• Local councils give out money via the household support fund

Northern Ireland

Eligibility rules will be the same as for England and Wales, so you might be eligible - find out here.

Scotland

There's no winter fuel payment, but you might be eligible for the pension-age winter heating payment.

(c) Sky News 2026: Millions of pensioners start receiving up to £300 winter payment - what you need to know