Winter fuel payment 2026: Check if you qualify for £200 or £300 under £35,000 rule

Energy bills are rising again in October putting extra pressure on household budgets.

Millions of pensioners can get help with costs through the Winter Fuel Payment, but the rules have changed and some people will have to pay the money back if your income is above £35,000.

Here's everything you need to know about who qualifies, and how the new income rule works.

Who can get the Winter Fuel Payment in 2026?

You could qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026 and your circumstances at this time will decide how much you will receive.

You won't qualify if you are in prison or in hospital receiving free treatment for the whole qualifying week.

The biggest change this year is the introduction of an income threshold of £35,000 but you will still receive the payment and HMRC will recover it back.

How much is the Winter Fuel Payment in 2026?

The amount you receive depends on your age, living arrangements and whether you or someone you live with receives certain qualifying benefits including Pension credit.

If you live alone, or no one else you live with is eligible for the payment, you could receive:

• £200 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960

• £300 if you were born before 28 September 1946

If you live with someone who is also eligible, and neither receives qualifying benefits.

You will receive:

• £100 each if both people were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960.

• £100 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960 and the other eligible person was born before 28 September 1946.

• £200 if you were born before 28 September 1946 and the other eligible person was born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960.

• £150 each if both people were born before 28 September 1946.

If you and your partner jointly claim a qualifying benefit, one payment is made for the household:

• £200 if both of you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960.

• £300 if one or both of you were born before 28 September 1946.

What is the £35,000 Winter Fuel Payment rule?

The £35,000 figure is not an eligibility cut-off.

If your personal total income is more than £35,000, you can still receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

However, HMRC will take the payment back as the Government has introduced a charge equal to the full value of the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners whose total income is above £35,000.

Your partner's income does not count towards your £35,000 threshold – it is based on your own total income.

This means someone with income just above £35,000 could receive the payment initially but then have the full amount recovered through their tax.

How will HMRC take the money back?

If your income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will normally recover the payment by:

Adjusting your tax code if you pay tax through PAYE, or adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return.

HMRC says someone repaying a typical £200 Winter Fuel Payment through PAYE would generally pay around £17 extra tax per month.

What income counts towards the £35,000 threshold?

The £35,000 test is based on your total income and can include:

• State Pension

• Workplace and personal pensions

• Earnings from employment

• Savings interest

• Dividends

• Rental income

• Self-employed profits

• Some taxable benefits.

When will the Winter Fuel Payment be paid?

Most eligible people don't need to make a claim.

You'll receive a letter in October or November 2026 telling you how much you will receive if you qualify and payments are normally made automatically.

If you think you're eligible but don't receive a letter, you can make a claim.

Claims for the coming winter 2026 to 2027 open from 21 September 2026, so head to gov.uk after this date.

Can you opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment?

Yes. People who expect their income to exceed £35,000 can choose not to receive the payment, avoiding the need for HMRC to recover it later.

You can do this in Manage your State Pension service before 11:59pm on 20 September 2026 or complete the opt out form before 11:59pm on 20 September 2026 or call the helpline before 6pm on 18 September 2026.

You’ll need to provide your National Insurance number when you use the online form or call the helpline.