Some UK pensioners living in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland will no longer receive the Winter Fuel Payment worth between £100 and £300 for the 2026/27 winter. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed the change, which removes a route that had previously let eligible people abroad claim the money.
According to the DWP, the claim form that pensioners living in the EEA and Switzerland once used has been withdrawn. That means many who relied on it to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment from overseas can no longer do so.
If you are a British pensioner living in one of these countries, this affects whether the payment lands in your account this winter. Here is what the change means and who is caught by it.
Why won’t some pensioners abroad get the Winter Fuel Payment 2026/27?
The core reason is administrative. The DWP has removed the specific claim form that eligible pensioners in the EEA and Switzerland previously used to apply. Without that form, the established route to claim from abroad no longer exists.
The source material does not spell out every detail behind the department’s decision. What is confirmed is that the withdrawal of the form directly cuts off how affected pensioners used to secure the payment.
Who is affected by this change?
The people most directly hit are those living outside the UK who once qualified through the overseas claim process. In practical terms:
- Pensioners in the EEA: Those resident in European Economic Area countries who previously used the claim form.
- Pensioners in Switzerland: Residents of Switzerland who relied on the same route.
For example, if you are a retired UK national living in Spain or Switzerland and had planned to submit the usual overseas claim form for the 2026/27 payment, that form is no longer available to you.
How much is the Winter Fuel Payment worth?
The Winter Fuel Payment ranges from £100 to £300, depending on individual circumstances. The exact amount a person receives depends on factors such as age and household situation. Losing access to it therefore removes a payment that, at the top end, is worth £300 per winter.
How can pensioners abroad check their position?
Because the overseas claim form has been withdrawn, anyone who lives in the EEA or Switzerland and expected to claim should verify their status directly rather than assume the payment will arrive automatically. The DWP is the authority on eligibility and any remaining options for people living abroad.
Pensioners in this position should contact the DWP or check official government guidance to confirm whether they still qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment 2026/27 and what, if anything, replaces the old claim route. The source that reported this change did not list an alternative form or process, so checking directly with the department is the safest step.
What should affected pensioners do next?
Do not rely on the previous claim method, because it has been removed. Instead:
- Confirm your eligibility: Check with the DWP whether you still qualify while living in the EEA or Switzerland.
- Watch official updates: Any replacement process would come from the DWP, not from unofficial sources.
- Keep records: Retain proof of your residency and pension details in case they are needed for future claims or queries.
The change was confirmed by the DWP, and it applies to the 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment. For pensioners abroad who counted on this money to help with heating costs, the withdrawal of the claim form is a concrete shift worth acting on now rather than later.
