Winter Fuel Payment explained

Who gets it, how much it is and how it is taken back above £35,000.

The short answer

The Winter Fuel Payment is a payment of between £100 and £300 to help with heating bills for winter 2026/27. You can get it if you were born on or before 27 June 1960. Most people receive it automatically in November or December. If your own income is over £35,000, HMRC takes it back through the tax system.

How it works

Most people get it automatically, with a letter in October or November.
The payment is usually made in November or December.
The income test uses your own income, not your partner's.
If your total income is over £35,000, HMRC recovers the payment, usually through your tax code or Self Assessment.
Scotland does not use this payment. Scottish pensioners may get the Pension Age Winter Heating payment from the Scottish government.

Other winter help

Warm Home Discount: a £150 discount on electricity bills for some people. See Warm Home Discount explained.
Cold Weather Payments: paid when temperatures stay very low, for people on certain benefits.
Pension Credit: can open the door to extra help. See Pension Credit explained.
Council help: many councils run their own cost-of-living schemes. See cost of living help.

Watch out for scams

Genuine payments are made automatically. Government bodies do not phone or text you asking for your bank details to "release" a payment. If you are unsure, do not reply, and check GOV.UK.

Where to learn more

This guide is for information only and is not tax, benefits or financial advice. Rules and amounts can change, so check the official pages before you rely on them.