Checked November 11, 2026, at 10:51 p.m. in London, GMT (UTC+00:00). DWP guidance for winter 2026–27 says eligible people born on or before June 27, 1960, who usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland may receive between £100 and £300. Most payments are automatic and are expected in November or December 2026. The claim deadline for people who need to apply is March 31, 2027.
The key point for this winter is that income above £35,000 does not automatically prevent someone from qualifying. Instead, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is due to recover the payment from recipients whose own total income exceeds that threshold. DWP guidance also says people can no longer opt out of the 2026–27 payment, so higher-income recipients should understand the tax-recovery process before treating the payment as extra spending money.
The age test is based on a specific date: a person must have been born on or before June 27, 1960. They must usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The qualifying week for the 2026–27 payment is September 21–27, 2026, and circumstances during that week can affect entitlement.
Some exclusions apply. DWP says a person will not qualify if they usually live outside the covered nations, were only visiting during the qualifying week, were in prison for that entire week, or had a full week of free inpatient hospital treatment during the qualifying week and the previous year. Restrictions can also apply to people whose UK immigration permission does not allow access to public funds. Separate rules apply to some care-home residents.
People in Scotland do not receive the DWP Winter Fuel Payment. Scotland has a separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, with its own eligibility and delivery rules. Check the relevant official guidance rather than assuming the DWP rules apply across the whole UK.
No. The current DWP guidance describes age, residence and qualifying-week conditions for eligibility. The £35,000 figure is a recovery threshold: if the recipient’s total income is above it, HMRC takes back the Winter Fuel Payment. The partner’s income does not count toward the recipient’s total. HMRC usually recovers the amount by changing a tax code; people who file Self Assessment pay it through their tax bill.
This distinction matters because an eligible person can receive a payment and later see a corresponding tax adjustment. DWP says recipients with income over £35,000 can no longer opt out of the 2026–27 payment. The opt-out window for the 2027–28 payment is due to open December 21, 2026, but that is a separate winter’s payment.
HMRC has also set out how overlapping collections may appear for some PAYE taxpayers. If HMRC is already collecting a 2025 payment, its guidance says the tax code may change in January 2027 to begin collecting the 2026 payment. Someone who received £200 in both years could pay about £30 to £33 more tax each month during the combined collection period. The actual amount depends on a person’s payment and tax circumstances. People should use their HMRC notice or tax account for their individual position.
Most eligible people are paid automatically. DWP says recipients of benefits such as the State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carer’s Allowance and certain other listed benefits usually do not need to claim. However, someone who is not receiving one of the listed benefits may need to apply if they have never received a Winter Fuel Payment before or have deferred their State Pension since their last payment.
For winter 2026–27, claims by post opened September 21, 2026, and claims by phone opened October 19, 2026. The final date to claim is March 31, 2027. The government page provides a claim form, postal address and the Winter Fuel Payment Centre telephone number, 0800 731 0160. Applicants may need their National Insurance number, bank details and, where relevant, marriage or civil-partnership details.
Eligible people should receive a letter in October or November explaining the amount and the bank account DWP expects to use. Most payments are scheduled for November or December. If a letter does not arrive or the money has not reached the account by January 27, 2027, DWP says to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
First, confirm the date of birth and usual residence conditions against the official eligibility page. Second, check whether a claim is needed instead of assuming that a previous payment guarantees an automatic one. Third, if personal income may exceed £35,000, review the HMRC recovery explanation and watch for a tax-code notice or Self Assessment calculation. The payment is not means-tested in the same way as the temporary 2024 restriction, but recovery can still affect the final amount a higher-income recipient keeps.
Use GOV.UK pages rather than unsolicited calls, texts or emails asking for bank credentials. The official DWP overview warns that impersonation messages may seek personal information. The dates and rules above are for winter 2026–27; they should not be carried forward automatically to a later winter, when eligibility, claim dates or tax arrangements may change.
March 31, 2027. Claims can be made by post or phone using the official DWP instructions.
Yes, if they meet the age, residence and other eligibility conditions. HMRC recovers the payment when the recipient’s own total income exceeds £35,000; a partner’s income is not included.
Most eligible recipients are expected to be paid automatically in November or December 2026. Contact DWP if the payment has not arrived by January 27, 2027.
Official sources checked: DWP Winter Fuel Payment overview; eligibility rules; claim steps and deadline; HMRC recovery threshold and tax collection; payment timing; opt-out status.
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