The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that automatic £300 bonus payments will be issued to state pensioners to assist with heating costs during winter 2026 to 2027. Individuals born before 28 June 1960 are eligible for between £100 and £300, depending on their age and circumstances.
Eligibility and Payment Amounts
The Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free annual payment designed to help older people with their heating bills. For winter 2026-2027, the amounts are: £300 for those born before 28 September 1946, and £200 for those born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960. The qualifying week is 21 to 27 September 2026, during which your circumstances determine eligibility.
Most eligible individuals receive the payment automatically. You do not need to claim if you already receive 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), or awards from the War Pensions Scheme, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Benefit, or Industrial Death Benefit.
Claiming and Payment Timeline
If you do not receive any of these benefits but think you are eligible, you may need to make a claim. This applies if you have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before or if you have deferred your State Pension since your last payment. The deadline for claiming for winter 2025-2026 was 31 March 2026, while claims for winter 2026-2027 open from 21 September 2026.
The DWP will send a letter in October or November confirming the amount you will receive. Most payments are made automatically in November or December. If you do not receive a letter or the money is not in your account by 27 January 2027, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
The payment does not affect other benefits, according to the DWP.
