Guides to UK winter heating payments in 2026/27
Plain-English guides to Winter Fuel Payment amounts and the qualifying week, the £35,000 income charge, how to claim by 31 March 2027, Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payments, and Scotland’s Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
Winter Fuel Payment 2026/27 amounts and the qualifying week
The official 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment amounts, the 21 to 27 September 2026 qualifying week, and how household and benefit circumstances change the figure.
Winter Fuel Payment eligibility in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Official 2026/27 eligibility: born on or before 27 June 1960, usual residence, hospital, prison, public funds and care-home exclusions, and how Scotland differs.
Winter Fuel Payment if your income is over £35,000: the tax charge
How the official £35,000 individual-income rule works for Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, including tax-code recovery, Self Assessment and opt-out dates.
How to claim Winter Fuel Payment, and the 31 March 2027 deadline
When you need to claim a 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment, how to claim by post or phone, the 31 March 2027 deadline, and what to do if no letter arrives.
Winter Fuel Payment dates: when you’ll get paid in 2026/27
Official 2026/27 payment timing: letters in October or November, most payments in November or December, and contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre if nothing arrives by 27 January 2027.
Warm Home Discount 2026/27: the official £150 discount
Official 2026/27 Warm Home Discount rules: a £150 electricity-bill discount, the 23 August 2026 qualifying date, letters, the 26 February 2027 helpline deadline, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Cold Weather Payment 2026/27 rules
Official Cold Weather Payment rules for 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027: £25 per 7-day period, benefit tests, official postcode checkers, and Scotland’s Winter Heating Payment.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland, 2026/27
Official 2026/27 Pension Age Winter Heating Payment rules and the mygov.scot amount table from £105.55 to £316.70, including eligibility, applications, opt-out and the £35,000 charge.
Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home
Official 2026/27 care-home rules for Winter Fuel Payment, including the 29 June 2026 long-stay test, the £100 and £150 amounts, and how Scotland’s PAWHP wording differs.
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Credit or Universal Credit
How Pension Credit, Universal Credit and income-related ESA change official 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment amounts, automatic payment, the care-home test and the £35,000 charge exemption.
Avoid Winter Fuel Payment scams
How official 2026/27 Winter Fuel Payment letters, claims and HMRC charges actually work, what GOV.UK says about scam messages, and how to report suspicious emails or websites.
Other help with heating bills in the UK, winter 2026/27
Official 2026/27 alternatives and companions to Winter Fuel Payment: Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment, Scotland’s £62 Winter Heating Payment, Affordable Warmth, and local council help.