Winter Fuel Payment 2026: check you qualify before 27 September

If you have reached State Pension age, you could get between £200 and £300 towards your energy bills this winter. This is called the Winter Fuel Payment and it goes straight into your bank account. You can spend it on anything — it does not have to be used for heating.

The most important thing to know right now is the qualifying week: 21 to 27 September 2026. The government uses this week to check who is eligible. That is just five weeks away.

How much will you get?

Most households get £200. If someone in your home will be aged 80 or over during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026, you get £300 instead.

You will receive a letter in October or November telling you exactly how much you are getting. The money is paid in November or December 2026.

Do you need to apply?

Most people do not need to do anything. You are paid automatically if you already receive any of these:

• State Pension
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support

If you get one of these payments, the Winter Fuel Payment will arrive without you having to apply.

What if you are not automatically paid?

If you are over State Pension age but you do not get any of the benefits above, you need to make a claim. You can do this from 21 September 2026.

You can claim by calling the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160. Lines are free from a landline. You can also check GOV.UK for a postal claim form.

Do not wait too long — if you are unsure whether you are registered with the Pension Service, call them on 0800 731 0469 to check your details are correct before the qualifying week starts.

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Will you have to pay it back?

If your individual taxable income is more than £35,000 a year, HMRC will take the Winter Fuel Payment back through the tax system. This happens automatically via PAYE or Self-Assessment. Your partner's income does not count.

If you rent privately and you receive Housing Benefit or Pension Credit, you are very unlikely to be affected by this clawback. The vast majority of renters on lower incomes keep the full payment.

Not sure where you stand?

If you are unsure about your eligibility — or if you think you may have missed out in a previous year — get free advice from Citizens Advice. They can check your full entitlement and help you claim anything you have missed.