The Winter Fuel Payment helps older people with heating bills. For the current winter, you could get between £100 and £300 if you were born on or before 27 June 1960. If your total income is over £35,000, HMRC takes the payment back. This guide explains who qualifies, how much is paid and what else is available.
For more on energy support for low-income households, see the Energy Hub.
Who can get the Winter Fuel Payment?
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Most people get it automatically if they are eligible, and receive a letter in October or November saying how much they will get.
You will not be eligible if you:
- usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland
- were visiting England, Wales or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week in September but usually live somewhere else
- were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the qualifying week and the year before that
- need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says you cannot claim public funds
- were in prison for the whole of the qualifying week
If you live in a care home you can still get the payment, unless you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related ESA and have lived in the care home for the whole time since the cut-off date GOV.UK sets. If you live in Scotland you cannot get a Winter Fuel Payment, though you might be eligible for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
How much is the Winter Fuel Payment?
The amount is based on when you were born and your circumstances in the qualifying week in September.
If you live alone, or no one you live with is eligible:
| Date of birth | Payment |
|---|---|
| 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960 | £200 |
| Before 28 September 1946 | £300 |
If you live with someone else who is eligible and you do not get Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA:
| You and the person you live with | Your payment |
|---|---|
| Both born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960 | £100 |
| You were born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960, they were born before | £100 |
| You were born before 28 September 1946, they were born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960 | £200 |
| Both born before 28 September 1946 | £150 |
If you get one of those benefits (not as part of a joint claim) you get £200 or £300 depending on your date of birth. If you and your partner claim one of them jointly, one of you gets £200 (both born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960) or £300 (one or both born before 28 September 1946). In a care home the payment is £100 or £150.
If your income is over £35,000
If your total income is over £35,000, HMRC takes your Winter Fuel Payment back, either by changing your tax code or by adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return. Your partner’s income does not count towards your total.
The Pension Credit connection
Pension Credit matters here because it can change how much Winter Fuel Payment a household gets (see the amounts above). It is also one of the benefits that lets you get the Warm Home Discount.
Who is eligible for Pension Credit?
You may qualify for Pension Credit if you are State Pension age (66 for people born before 6 April 1960, higher for later births) and your weekly income is below approximately:
- £238.00 per week in 2026/27 (single person, the Guarantee Credit level)
- £363.25 per week (couple)
These thresholds include State Pension, private pension income, rental income, and most other regular income. Savings and investments above £10,000 may affect the amount (but do not automatically disqualify you).
You can have savings above the £10,000 threshold and still receive some Pension Credit, as it is calculated on a sliding scale, not a cliff edge.
Pension Credit is worth checking if you have not yet claimed, because:
- Pension Credit can be backdated by up to 3 months
- Pension Credit also unlocks free NHS dental treatment, maximum Housing Benefit, free TV licence (for over-75s), and Council Tax Reduction
Apply: call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234, or apply online at gov.uk/pension-credit.
Alternatives and other heating help
| Scheme | Who it helps | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Warm Home Discount | Pension Credit or low-income households | £150 discount on bills |
| Cold Weather Payment | Certain benefits, when temperatures stay at 0 degrees Celsius or below for 7 days in a row | See GOV.UK |
| Council help | Depends on the rules in your area | Variable |
| Energy supplier hardship funds | Customers in difficulty | Variable |
What to do if you expected a payment but did not receive it
- Look out for the letter: eligible people are sent a letter in October or November saying how much they will get.
- Check the qualifying week: the amount depends on your circumstances in the qualifying week in September.
- Contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre: 0800 731 0160 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).