Overview

• Eligibility is now fixed by the 15–21 September qualifying week for people born before 22 September 1959 in England and Wales, with payments of £100–£300 based on age and living arrangements.
• HMRC will recover Winter Fuel Payments from recipients with taxable income over £35,000 through tax-code changes in 2026/27 or via 2025/26 Self Assessment, and an opt-out is available.
• Letters confirming amounts will be sent in October and November, most payments will arrive in November and December, and some who are not already on DWP benefits or a DWP pension must claim by post or phone by 31 March 2026.
• Scotland runs a separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment through Social Security Scotland, Northern Ireland administers its own scheme, and certain situations such as long hospital stays, prison or living abroad can exclude eligibility.
• The DWP will also pay a separate £10 Christmas Bonus in the first full week of December marked ‘DWP XB’, which is automatic for those on listed qualifying benefits; Universal Credit on its own is not on that list according to published guidance.