The Winter Fuel Payment is back for winter 2026/27, and most eligible pensioners will see the money land automatically in November or December 2026 — no claim needed. But this year comes with a catch that catches many people out: if your total income is over £35,000, HMRC takes the Winter Fuel Payment back through the tax system, even though the money was paid to you first. This guide explains who gets the Winter Fuel Payment, how much it is, when it is paid, and exactly how the £35,000 clawback works — including the monthly tax-code deductions that can reach £30 to £33 a month.
Who gets the Winter Fuel Payment?
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2026/27 if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and you usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The amount depends on when you were born and your circumstances during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026. The full eligibility rules are set out in GOV.UK’s Winter Fuel Payment guide.
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they are eligible — you do not need to claim if you get the State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or certain other benefits. You do need to claim if you have never had one before, or if you deferred your State Pension since your last payment. You can claim by post (from 21 September 2026) or by phone (from 19 October 2026) — the Winter Fuel Payment Centre is on 0800 731 0160, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm — and the deadline to claim for winter 2026/27 is 31 March 2027.
You will not be eligible if you usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland, were only visiting during the qualifying week, were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of that week and the year before, were in prison for the whole of that week, or need permission to enter the UK and your leave says you cannot claim public funds. If you live in Scotland, you cannot get one — you may be eligible for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead.
How much is the Winter Fuel Payment?
The Winter Fuel Payment is between £100 and £300, and the exact amount depends on your age and who you live with during the qualifying week. The money does not affect your other benefits.
| Your situation in the qualifying week | Winter Fuel Payment |
|---|---|
| You live alone, born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960 | £200 |
| You live alone, born before 28 September 1946 | £300 |
| You live with another eligible person, both born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960 | £100 each |
| You live with another eligible person — you born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960, the other person born before 28 September 1946 | £100 |
| You live with another eligible person — you born before 28 September 1946, the other person born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960 | £200 |
| You live with another eligible person, both born before 28 September 1946 | £150 each |
| You live in a care home, born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960 | £100 |
| You live in a care home, born before 28 September 1946 | £150 |
If you and your partner jointly claim Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, one of you gets £200 (both born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960) or £300 (one or both born before 28 September 1946). If you claim one of those benefits on your own, you get £200 or £300 on the same age split. You should get a letter in October or November telling you how much you will get and which bank account it will be paid into — usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits.
When will the Winter Fuel Payment be paid?
Most eligible people will be paid in November or December 2026. If you do not get a letter, or the money has not been paid into your account by 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. If you think you are eligible but have not been paid, do not wait until spring — the claim deadline for winter 2026/27 is 31 March 2027.
The payment usually lands in the same bank account as your State Pension or other benefits. Your State Pension itself is paid in arrears, every four weeks, so the Winter Fuel Payment follows a different rhythm — a one-off payment for the winter, rather than part of your regular pension cycle.
The £35,000 rule: HMRC takes the Winter Fuel Payment back
This is the part most people miss. If your total income is over £35,000, HMRC will take the payment back. Your partner’s income does not count towards your total — the £35,000 test is on your income alone. So if you and your partner each earn £25,000 a year, neither of you is over the limit, even though your combined income is £50,000. Your total income includes your State Pension, private pensions, earnings and other taxable income, and you need to work it out before any deductions.
The £35,000 test is separate from your Personal Allowance — the £12,570 of income you can receive tax-free — because the payment is clawed back on your total income before deductions, not on your taxable income after the allowance.
HMRC usually collects the money by changing your tax code, which increases the tax deducted from your wages, salary or pension. HMRC will contact you by email or post if it changes your tax code. If you complete a Self Assessment tax return, you pay it through your tax bill instead — you must include the payment on your tax return each year you get it, where it shows as the “Winter Fuel Payment charge”. If you use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, you cannot pay it back through your compatible software; after you submit your tax return, HMRC will write to you confirming how much to pay and how to pay it, and you should wait for HMRC to contact you before trying to pay.
How much extra tax will you pay each month?
A £200 payment spread evenly over 12 months works out at about £17 a month, but the exact monthly figure depends on how HMRC collects it — and it rises when HMRC is collecting two years’ payments at once. If HMRC is already collecting your 2025 payment, your tax code will change in January 2027 to start collecting your 2026 payment, and you will pay approximately £30 to £33 more tax each month if your Winter Fuel Payment is £200 in both years. If you do not opt out, HMRC will change your tax code again in April 2027 to continue collecting your 2026 payment and start collecting your 2027 payment in advance. If HMRC is unable to collect the full amount during the tax year, it will send you a tax calculation letter.
Can you opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment?
You can no longer opt out for 2026/27 — that window has closed. You will be able to opt out for 2027/28 from 21 December 2026. If you do not opt out and your total income is over £35,000, you will receive the payment but HMRC will take it back. You can opt in again by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, and to get a payment for winter 2026/27 you need to contact them before 31 March 2027.
Beware of Winter Fuel Payment scams
GOV.UK warns that you may get calls, emails or messages pretending to be from a government service. If you get a message asking for your personal details — for example, your bank details or passwords — it could be a scam. HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions will not ask you to click a link or share bank details to receive the payment, and you do not need to apply for the clawback or pay anything upfront. Report anything suspicious through GOV.UK.
Other help with heating bills
This payment is not the only help available. You could also get a Cold Weather Payment if you get certain benefits and the temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven days in a row, and the Warm Home Discount — a £150 discount on your bills if you get Pension Credit or live in a low-income household. Your local council may also offer help with the cost of living if you are eligible under the rules in your area.
What to check now
- Check whether you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and lived in England, Wales or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026.
- Look out for your letter in October or November telling you how much you will get and which bank account it will be paid into.
- Work out your total income for 2026/27 before any deductions — if it is over £35,000, expect HMRC to take the payment back through your tax code or Self Assessment bill.
- If you have not been paid by 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
- If you need to claim, do it before the 31 March 2027 deadline — and if you want to opt out for next winter, you can do so from 21 December 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Who gets the Winter Fuel Payment in 2026/27?
Anyone born on or before 27 June 1960 who usually lives in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and meets the other eligibility rules. Most eligible people are paid automatically in November or December 2026, and the payment is £100 to £300 depending on age and household circumstances in the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026.
How much is the Winter Fuel Payment?
Between £100 and £300. If you live alone you get £200 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, or £300 if you were born before 28 September 1946. If you live with another eligible person the payment is shared, at £100 to £200 each depending on your ages.
Do I have to pay the Winter Fuel Payment back?
Only if your total individual income is over £35,000. HMRC then takes the Winter Fuel Payment back, usually by changing your tax code, or through your Self Assessment tax bill. Your partner’s income does not count. If your income is £35,000 or less, you keep the payment.
When will my Winter Fuel Payment arrive?
Most payments are made automatically in November or December 2026, into the bank account your State Pension or other benefits are usually paid into. If the money has not arrived by 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
Can I opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment?
Not for winter 2026/27 — that opt-out window has closed. You can opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment for 2027/28 from 21 December 2026. If you do not opt out and your income is over £35,000, HMRC will take the payment back through tax.
This article gives general information about UK tax and benefits, not personal financial or tax advice. Tax rules can change, and your situation may be different. Check GOV.UK or speak to a qualified accountant before you act.
