State pensioners across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland can expect up to £300 towards their heating bills this winter, with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) sending confirmation letters from October and paying most people automatically.
The amount you receive hinges on the winter fuel allowance qualifying week, which for winter 2026/27 runs from 21 to 27 September 2026. Your age and living circumstances during that week decide how much you get.
According to AOL.co.uk, pensioners born on or before 27 June 1960 could receive between £100 and £300. If you live in Scotland, you will instead get the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
What is the winter fuel allowance qualifying week?
The qualifying week is the seven-day period the DWP uses to work out your entitlement. This year it falls between 21 and 27 September 2026. The DWP said the amount “is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 21 to 27 September 2026”.
Your date of birth and whether you live alone or with another eligible person during that week determine your payment. Any money you receive will not affect your other benefits.
How much Winter Fuel Payment can I get?
The DWP has confirmed the standard rates for pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
- £200: if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960 and live alone.
- £300: if you were born before 28 September 1946.
Your payment may differ if you get Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). For example, if you turned 80 this year and live on your own, you would fall into the older age band and could receive the higher £300 figure.
When will letters and payments arrive?
The DWP will write to eligible households confirming their exact amount. Here is the timeline:
- October or November 2026: letters go out telling you how much you will get.
- November and December 2026: money is paid into accounts automatically.
The DWP said: “You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible. If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.” You can verify your position at gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment.
What happens if my income is over £35,000?
Higher-income pensioners still receive the payment, but HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) claws it back. If your total individual income for 2026/27 tops £35,000, HMRC will recover the money either by changing your tax code or by adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return.
The ICAEW reports that for those outside Self Assessment, the tax-code adjustment usually applies to the 2027/28 code, though some taxpayers will see it applied to their 2026/27 code from January 2027. From April 2027, HMRC plans to collect winter payments through the PAYE code during the year they are paid.
You can check whether the threshold applies to you using HMRC’s online tool via the same GOV.UK page.
How do I opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment?
If your income is over £35,000, opting out may be simpler than being paid and having the money recovered. The DWP warned: “If you do not opt out and your total income is over £35,000, you will receive the Winter Fuel Payment but HMRC will take it back. You cannot return it yourself.”
The deadlines to opt out for winter 2026/27 are:
- 6pm on 18 September 2026: for England, Wales and Northern Ireland by phone. The ICAEW gives HMRC’s helpline as 0800 731 0160.
- 11:59pm on 20 September 2026: for England, Wales and Northern Ireland online, using the Manage your State Pension service or the opt-out form.
- Midday on 19 October 2026: for Scotland, via the online form or by calling Social Security Scotland.
Source 1 (AOL) listed the online deadline as 11:50pm, but the ICAEW’s report of 11:59pm on 20 September 2026 is used here. Check the official GOV.UK guidance to confirm before acting.
Do I need to opt out again if I opted out last year?
No. According to the ICAEW, once you opt out for one year you will not receive payments in future years unless you actively opt back in. So if you opted out of the winter 2025/26 payment, you will not automatically get the 2026/27 payment and do not need to opt out again.
If you previously opted out and now want the winter 2026/27 payment, you must opt back in by 31 March 2027. Guidance on how to do this is on GOV.UK for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and on mygov.scot for Scotland.
