More than nine million pensioners are set to receive hundreds of pounds to help with heating costs this year through the government’s winter fuel payment scheme.
The scheme is designed to help pensioners through the colder months and is available for those born before or on 1960 and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Those who apply could get between £100 and £300 to help with heating bills for winter 2026 to 2027.
But some pensioners will miss out as a result under the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) criteria.
A person will only qualify for the benefit if their total income is higher than £35,000. The government has said HMRC will take back the payment if this is the case.
Those eligible will be automatically paid in November or December this year.
There are four other groups of people who are ineligible for the payment:
- If you usually live outside England, Wales or Northern Ireland
- If you were in hospital for a whole week in September
- If you need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says you cannot claim public funds
- If you were in prison for the whole of the week of 21 to 27 September 2026
Those who live in a care home are still eligible for the winter fuel payment, with one exception. If the individual receives universal credit, pension credit or ESA, and has lived in a care home full-time from 29 June or earlier, then they are not eligible.
The government severely restricted the cheme for the winter of 2024 to only the lowest-income pensioners, before a U-turn last year to once again expand the provision.
Get a free fractional share worth up to £100.
Capital at risk.
Terms and conditions apply.
ADVERTISEMENT
Get a free fractional share worth up to £100.
Capital at risk.
Terms and conditions apply.
ADVERTISEMENT
HMRC has begun reaching out to more than one million pensioners in the category regarding changes to their 2026/27 tax code that will reclaim the winter fuel payment.
The adjustment will see the repayment spread across the entire tax year through the PAYE system. For those under 80, this will mean a deduction of around £17 a month. For those aged 80 or over, it’ll be £25.
For those who complete a self-assessment tax return, the payment is now required to be included on forms. Those who file online are likely to see this added automatically.
It is now too late for pensioners who are over the £35,000 threshold to opt out, and they have until September this year to opt out for the 2027 scheme.
