Winter Fuel Payment - Can I get a Winter Fuel Payment?

All pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive a Winter Fuel Payment during winter 2026/27, unless you choose to opt out. 

You will be eligible if:

• You were born before 28 June 1960, and
• you lived in England, Wales or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week, which is 21 to 27 September 2026

If your annual income is more than £35,000, you will have to pay back your Winter Fuel Payment. This will be done by HMRC after the payment has been made. 

Opting out of the Winter Fuel Payment 

You can opt out of receiving a Winter Fuel Payment by completing an opt out form before 11:59pm on 20 September 2026.

You can also opt out by calling the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 6pm on 18 September 2026. 

You can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre by phone: 

• Telephone: 0800 731 0160
• Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 731 0160
• British Sign Language (BSL) users: Video Relay Service 

If you want to opt in again after you have already opted out, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 31 March 2027. Some people might prefer to receive the payment instead of opting out, to cover the extra costs in the winter months.

Repaying if your income is above £35,000

You will not be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if your annual income is more than £35,000. HMRC will recover the amount paid by changing your tax code in the 2027 to 2028 tax year . If you submit a Self-Assessment tax return, it will be added to your 2026 to 2027 tax year .

You can check if your income is over the threshold on the government's website. 

Scotland

In Scotland, the Winter Fuel Payment has been replaced by a new benefit called Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. It has the same eligibility criteria as the Winter Fuel Payment in the rest of the UK.

If you live abroad

If you live outside of England, Wales or Northern Ireland you are not eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment.

If you live in a care home

If you live in a care home and both of the following conditions apply, you will not be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment: 

• You get Pension Credit or Universal Credit
• You have lived in a care home full time since 28 June 2026 or earlier 

Hospital and prison

If you were in hospital getting free treatment, or in prison during the whole week of 21 to 27 September 2026, you will not be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment