The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed a new birthday cut-off for the Winter Fuel Payment, a major perk claimed by millions. Labour MP Michael Wheeler, representing Worsley and Eccles, raised a question in the Commons regarding the Winter Fuel Allowance.
Mr Wheeler asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions why the cut-off date for eligibility is in June. Torsten Bell, DWP minister, responded: "The Winter Fuel Payment is an age-related payment payable to everyone who has reached State Pension age on or before the end of the qualifying week and is ordinarily resident in England or Wales. The qualifying week is set out in legislation and is the third full week of September. For winter 2026/27, that is 21 to 27 September 2026."
Bell further explained: "The State Pension age for men and women will increase to 67 between 2026 and 2028. People born between 6 April 1960 and 5 March 1961 will reach their State Pension age at 66 years and a specified number of months, depending on their exact birth date. Therefore, a person needs to be born on or before 27 June 1960 to have reached State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week to be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2026/27."
This cut-off is a year later than last year, which was 1959. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves previously stated: "Targeting Winter Fuel Payments was a tough decision, but the right decision because of the inheritance we had been left by the previous government. It is also right that we continue to means-test this payment so that it is targeted and fair, rather than restoring eligibility to everyone including the wealthiest. But we have now acted to expand the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment so no pensioner on a lower income will miss out. This will mean over three quarters of pensioners receiving the payment in England and Wales later this winter."
