This guide will outline all you’ll need to know about applying for winter fuel payments, including factors that could make a person ineligible and how much a person may be entitled to depending on their situation. These government-funded payments can make a big difference for people who may be struggling with their heating costs as the temperature drops, ensuring their home remains comfortable year-round, without the extra financial burden.

Who Is Eligible for Winter Fuel Payments?

In 2026, the rules changed, and now, only people receiving a state pension and other benefits in England and Wales qualify for winter fuel payments. Pensioners in Scotland and Northern Ireland are still eligible even if they don’t qualify for additional benefits (however, this situation is subject to change). Before 2026, all people of state pension age could qualify regardless of their finances, but recent reforms mean eligibility is dependent on a person’s financial situation and income.

To be eligible for winter fuel payments, a person must be above state pension age and have an income of less than £218.15 per week. While two pensioners living in the same household must have a combined income of less than £332.95. A person’s savings are also a deciding factor, and having over £10,000 in savings will affect how much a person is entitled to.

However, regardless of their income and savings, a person may still be entitled to the full payment if they are disabled, a carer, or if they qualify for assistance with their housing costs.

Qualifying Week Explained

The qualifying week for Winter Fuel Payments is a 7-day period used by the government to check your age, residency, and benefit eligibility to determine if you are entitled to receive the grant. In 2026, the qualifying week is the 21st to the 27th of September.

Can I Claim Winter Eligibility Payments If I Live Abroad?

If a person was born before 23rd September 1958 and moved out of the UK before 31st December 2020, they could potentially still be eligible to receive winter fuel payments. However, people living in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland qualify, with countries like Greece, Spain, and Portugal ineligible.

Qualifying countries include:

  • Austria

  • Belgium

  • Bulgaria

  • Croatia

  • Czech Republic

  • Denmark

  • Estonia

  • Finland

  • Germany

  • Hungary

  • Iceland

  • Ireland

  • Italy

  • Latvia

  • Liechtenstein

  • Lithuania

  • Luxembourg

  • Netherlands

  • Norway

  • Poland

  • Romania

  • Slovakia

  • Slovenia

  • Sweden

  • Switzerland

To qualify, a person must also be deemed to have a 'genuine and sufficient link to the UK'. This means having family in the UK, working in the UK, or living in the UK part-time. You will also need to be eligible to receive a means-tested qualifying benefit in your country of residence, in addition to the UK State Pension.

This can be a benefit that is equivalent to:

  • Child Tax Credit

  • Employment Support Allowance (ESA)

  • Income Support

  • Job Seekers Allowance

  • Pension Credit

  • Working Tax Credit

  • Universal Credit

A person may be ineligible to receive winter fuel payments if they have been incarcerated during the qualifying week, have been undergoing free hospital treatment for over 12 months, lack permission to enter the UK and claim public funds, or live in a care home and are receiving benefits during the qualifying week.

How to Claim Winter Fuel Payment

If eligible, you will usually receive the payment directly to your bank account, but if you don’t receive it automatically, the application process is a simple application form on the Gov.uk website. You can also apply by calling 0800 731 0160, just have your National Insurance number and bank details ready.

How much could I receive?

A person living alone could receive £200 if they were born between 23rd September 1944 and 22nd September 1958, or £300 if they were born before 23rd September 1944.

If you and your partner are jointly claiming winter fuel payments, only one of you will receive the payment. This will be £200 if you were both born between 23rd September 1944 and 22nd September 1958, or £300 if one or both of you were born before 23rd September 1944.

When will I receive Winter Fuel Payments?

You can expect to receive the payment between November and December. If you haven’t received the payment before the end of January, then you should contact the Department for Work and Pensions as soon as possible.

Winter Fuel Payment vs Cold Weather Payment

Winter Fuel Payments are aimed directly at people who are old enough to receive the State Pension, and are fixed between £200 and £300. Cold Weather Payments, on the other hand, are an emergency £25 per week benefit for low-income households during periods of sub-zero temperatures. Winter Fuel Payments are paid regardless of the weather, while Cold Weather Payments are only provided for each 7-day period of freezing weather.

Glossary

  1. Winter Fuel Payment: A government payment to help eligible older people with winter heating costs.

  2. Cold Weather Payment: A payment made during periods of very cold weather to eligible benefit claimants.

  3. Pension Credit: A means-tested benefit that boosts the income of pensioners on low incomes.

  4. DWP: The UK government's Department for Work and Pensions, which administers benefits and pensions.

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Page Last Reviewed: 17/06/2026