The money will be available to help older people stay warm as the temperatures fall
Millions of pensioners are set to receive help with paying for their energy costs over the cold winter months. Applications for Winter Fuel Payments open on Monday, September 21, which is also the qualifying week which sets out who can receive the money.
While most people will not have to apply as they will be sent the money automatically, some of those who do receive the payment will have to return it. Nevertheless, while the majority of pensioners will receive the funds automatically, certain individuals will be required to repay it.
According to HMRC regulations, anyone earning above £35,000 is ineligible for the payment and must return it. House of Commons data reveals that during the 2025/26 financial year, approximately 2.2 million pensioners were affected by the threshold and will have their Winter Fuel Payment reclaimed because their individual taxable earnings surpass £35,000.
The repayment method will vary depending on their usual tax payment arrangements and whether it involves a private pension or self-assessment. In a message posted on X, HMRC informed pensioners: “Did you receive a Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, last winter?
“If your income in 2025/26 was over £35,000, you’ll need to repay it. If you only pay tax through Pay As You Earn (PAYE), for example on a private pension, the payment is already being collected through your tax code and you don’t need to do anything.
“If you’re in Self Assessment, you need to include it in your tax return for 2025/26.” It advised people to visit the Winter Fuel Payment page on the government website for further details. People will receive the money automatically if they receive one of 12 benefits:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA),
- awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit.
Those who do not receive one of these benefits must apply if either they have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before or have deferred their State Pension since their last Winter Fuel Payment.
Who gets the Winter Fuel Payment
People can get a Winter Fuel Payment if they were born on or before 27 June 1960 and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Who does not qualify
They will not be eligible if they:
- usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland
- were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 21 to 27 September 2026 and the year before that
- need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- were in prison for the whole of the week of 21 to 27 September 2026
Living in a care home
People can get Winter Fuel Payment if they live in a care home however they will not qualify if both of the following apply:
- they get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- they lived in a care home for the whole time from 29 June 2026 or earlier
How much will you get?
Those eligible will get a letter in October or November explaining how much Winter Fuel Payment they will be paid, if they’re eligible. The DWP says: “If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.”
The amount paid is based on their birth date and your circumstances between September 21-27, 2026. This is called the ‘qualifying week’. Any money paid will not affect other benefits.
Living alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
The payment will be either:
- £200 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960
- £300 if you were born before 28 September 1946
Living with someone else who’s eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
The payment may be different if they get one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If they do not get any of the benefits, the payment will be:
- £100 if they and the person you live with were both born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960
- £100 if they were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960 but the person they live with was born before 28 September 1946
- £200 if they were born before 28 September 1946 but the person they live with was born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960
- £150 if they and the person they live with were both born before 28 September 1946
If both people jointly claim any of the benefits one of them will get a payment of either:
- £200 if both were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960
- £300 if one or both were born before 28 September 1946
If they live in a care home and are eligible it will be either:
- £100 if they were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960
- £150 if they were born before 28 September 1946
When will the money be paid?
Most payments are made automatically in November or December. People should get a letter explaining how much will be paid and which bank account it will be paid into. This is usually the same account as their State Pension or other benefits.
Anyone who does not get a letter or the money has not been paid into their account by 27 January 2027, should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
How to repay the money
Anyone with an income of over £35,000 will have their Winter Fuel Payment back by either changing their tax code or adding the amount to their Self Assessment tax return.
