State pensioners can claim up to £300 in Winter Fuel Payment by phone
Winter Fuel Payment telephone applications for the 2026/2027 season will open on October 19, 2026, the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed. British pensioners can receive between £100 and £300 to help offset domestic heating costs during the colder winter months.
State pensioners receiving qualifying benefits will receive their heating allowance automatically between November and December 2026. Individuals who have never claimed the benefit or who deferred their State Pension must submit an application before the deadline of March 31, 2027.
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Winter Fuel Payment eligibility and household payment rates
Eligibility requires pensioners to have been born on or before June 27, 1960, and to reside in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week of September 21 to 27, 2026. Beneficiaries aged 80 and over receive £300, while those born between September 28, 1946, and June 27, 1960, receive £200. Payments are recovered if annual taxable income exceeds £35,000.
Department for Work and Pensions advice on notifications
Regarding qualifying notifications, the Department for Work and Pensions stated: “You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible. If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim. The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 21 to 27 September 2026.”
Winter Fuel Payment phone lines and application schedule
- Postal claims: opened September 21, 2026
- Telephone claims: opens October 19, 2026, at 08:00 BST via 0800 731 0160
- Missing payment contact date: January 27, 2027
- Final claim deadline: March 31, 2027, at 18:00 BST
See also: Social Security COLA announcement approaches as 2027 rates target 3.6%
