Winter Fuel Payment, up to £300, starts going into accounts from mid-November Winter Fuel Payments of up to £300 start landing from mid-November
Marra Mode is how your mate would tell you down the pub over a pint. Switch it off for the straight version.
If you were born on or before 27 June 1960, your Winter Fuel Payment, £100 to £300, should start landing from mid-November, mostly without you doing owt.
This one's for older folk round here and their families, anyone born on or before 27 June 1960, and anyone who sorts bills out for their mam, dad or a neighbour.
The DWP says this winter's Winter Fuel Payments start going out from mid-November, and most people will have theirs in November or December. It's between £100 and £300, depending on your age and your situation in the week of 21 to 27 September 2026. It doesn't touch your other benefits.
Most people don't have to do owt. If you get the State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, PIP, Carer's Allowance or a few others, it's paid automatically, usually into the same account as your pension. You should get a letter in October or November telling you how much and where it's going.
You do need to claim if you don't get one of those benefits and you've never had it before, or if you've put off your State Pension since your last payment. You can claim by post or phone, and the deadline is 31 March 2027.
One catch: if your own income is over £35,000, HMRC takes it back. Your partner's income doesn't count.
What you can do: check if you qualify and if you need to claim on the Winter Fuel Payment guide on GOV.UK. If there's no letter or no money by 27 January 2027, get on to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, details on the same page. And our fuel prices page keeps an eye on local pump prices every day.
Winter Fuel Payments of between £100 and £300 for people born on or before 27 June 1960 will be paid from mid-November, with most people paid automatically in November or December.
This is for older people in West Cumbria and their families, especially anyone born on or before 27 June 1960, and anyone who helps a parent or neighbour with bills.
The Department for Work and Pensions says Winter Fuel Payments for winter 2026 to 2027 will be paid from mid-November, with most eligible people paid in November or December. The payment is between £100 and £300, depending on your age and circumstances during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026. It does not affect other benefits.
Most people do not need to do anything. If you get the State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, PIP, Carer's Allowance or several other benefits, the money is paid automatically, usually into the same account as your pension or benefits. You should get a letter in October or November saying how much you will get and where it will be paid.
You need to claim if you do not get one of those benefits and have not had the payment before, or if you have deferred your State Pension since your last payment. Claims can be made by post or by phone, and the deadline for this winter is 31 March 2027.
There is also an income test: if your own total income is over £35,000, HMRC will take the payment back. Your partner's income does not count.
What you can do: check whether you qualify and whether you need to claim on GOV.UK's Winter Fuel Payment guide. If you have not had a letter or the money by 27 January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, whose details are on the same GOV.UK page. With colder nights forecast, our daily fuel prices page tracks local pump prices too.