Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed the reintroduction of the Winter Fuel Payment for the 2026/27 winter, with state pensioners under 80 receiving an automatic £200 payment. Those aged 80 and over will receive £300 under the scheme, which is being overseen by the Makerfield MP.
The payment applies to anyone born after 1946 who has reached state pension age. Pensioners born earlier — generally those aged over 80 — will instead receive £300. The payments are intended to help cover heating costs during the colder months, and are being reintroduced as a universal entitlement for most pensioners.
To qualify, you must have reached state pension age. Age UK explains: "The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help you with heating costs during the colder months. You must have reached State Pension age. Your Winter Fuel Payment will be recovered through the tax system if your taxable income is over £35,000."
Automatic payments, no application required
Eligible pensioners do not need to apply for the payment. It will be paid automatically, usually into the same bank account used for state pension or benefit payments. If you have not received your Winter Fuel Payment by January 2026, you can make a claim before 31 March 2026. The Winter Fuel Payment helpline is available on 0800 731 0160.
Full payment breakdown for every household type
The exact amount you receive depends on your age, your benefit status, and whether you live with a partner or someone else of pension age. The government has set out the following levels:
- Joint claim for Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance: one of you will receive £200 if both were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959 (aged 66 to 79). You will receive £300 if one or both of you were born before 22 September 1945 (aged 80 or over).
- Single claim for the same benefits: you will receive £200 if you were born between the above dates, or £300 if you were born before 22 September 1945.
- No claim for Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA: your payment is based on the ages of both you and the person you live with. You will get £100 if both of you were born between 22 September 1945 and 21 September 1959. You will get £100 if you were born between those dates but the other person was born before 22 September 1945. You will get £200 if you were born before 22 September 1945 but the other person was born between the dates. You will get £150 if both of you were born before 22 September 1945.
It is important to note that the payments described above are made per household, not per individual. For couples, a single payment is issued, with the amount based on the ages and benefit status of both people. In summary, pensioners under 80 will typically receive either £200 or £100, while those over 80 will receive £300, £200 or £150, depending on their circumstances.
What to do if your payment does not arrive
For most people, no action is needed. But if your Winter Fuel Payment has not arrived by January 2026, you should contact the helpline on 0800 731 0160. You can submit a claim up to 31 March 2026, so there is ample time to resolve any issues.
The reintroduction of the Winter Fuel Payment represents a major policy reversal from the previous means-tested system. Under Prime Minister Burnham, the payment returns to an automatic, universal model for the under-80s, ensuring pensioners receive support without needing to prove their eligibility.
