Winter Fuel Payment
A Winter Fuel Payment can help you pay your winter heating bills. If you were born before 22 September 1959, you could get between £100 and £300. Payments are made automatically.
Winter Fuel Payment letters
If you’re eligible you’ll get a letter during October or November telling you:
- how much you’ll get this winter
- an estimated date of when you’ll get the payment
Winter Fuel Payment is different to a Cold Weather Payment which supports people on benefits when there is very cold weather in their area for more than a week.
You do not need to do anything to get a Winter Fuel Payment. You won't be sent a text or email asking for your bank details. You should report any suspicious messages: reporting a scam
Winter Fuel Payment rates
How much Winter Fuel Payment you get each winter can vary depending on your personal situation during the qualifying week.
The qualifying week for winter 2025 to 2026 is 15 to 21 September.
Your age or other people living with you who are also eligible can affect the amount you get.
Winter Fuel Payment is tax free and does not affect your other benefits or income.
More information about eligibility, how much you’ll get and when you won’t be eligible is at:
How and when you're paid
Most payments are in November or December.
Your Winter Fuel Payment will be paid into the bank account your qualifying benefits or state pension is usually paid into.
If you do not get a letter or the money is not paid into your account by December, contact the Winter Fuel payment Centre.
Report a change in circumstances
Report any changes in your circumstances straight away, as these can affect how much Winter Fuel Payment you get.
You need to report changes such as:
- you or someone else eligible for Winter Fuel Payment moves in or out of your house
- you or someone else eligible for Winter Fuel Payment moves into or goes to live in a care home
- someone who was eligible for Winter Fuel Payment in your household dies
- you change your bank account details
- you move abroad
- you stop getting a benefit
- you want to cancel future payments
- you want to return a payment
To report a change, you should contact the Winter Fuel payment Centre.
If you’ve been paid too much
You may have to repay all or some of a Winter Fuel Payment if you:
- did not report a change straight away
- gave wrong information
- were overpaid by mistake
Find out how to repay any benefit money you owe, including Winter Fuel Payment: