The qualifying week for the 2026 winter heating payments began on Monday 21 September 2026 and runs to Sunday 27 September 2026, the week that determines eligibility and, in some cases, how much a household receives1. Claims for winter 2026/27 opened on the same day1.
Two schemes are in scope. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Winter Fuel Payment is worth between £100 and £300 for people born on or before 27 June 19602. In Scotland, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment has replaced it and is administered by Social Security Scotland rather than the Department for Work and Pensions, with payments between £105.55 and £316.701. Northern Ireland's eligibility rules are the same as for England and Wales2.
| Nation | Scheme | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland | Winter Fuel Payment | £100 to £3002 |
| Scotland | Pension Age Winter Heating Payment | £105.55 to £316.701 |
Scottish rates depend on age and household circumstances during the qualifying week. Someone aged between 66 years and three months and 79 who lives alone, or does not live with another eligible person, can receive £211.15; someone aged 80 or over in the same circumstances can receive £316.70; and two eligible people who are both under 80 and are not receiving certain qualifying benefits can each receive £105.551. Age UK gives the England and Wales figures as £200 where at least one qualifying person is aged between State Pension age and 79, and £300 where at least one is aged 80 or above3.
"Both schemes use circumstances during the week of Monday, September 21 to Sunday, September 27, 2026 to determine eligibility and, in some cases, how much someone will receive."
Most eligible people receive the payments automatically and do not need to apply2. nidirect states that eligible people in Northern Ireland will get a letter during October or November2, and the Daily Record reports most Winter Fuel Payments will be made automatically during November or December, with letters in October or November1. Scottish payments begin from November and continue through the winter1. Both payments are tax free and do not affect other benefits or income2, but where an individual's total income is more than £35,000, HMRC recovers the money through the tax system, by changing a tax code or adding the amount to a Self Assessment return2. The same £35,000 individual threshold applies to both schemes1.
Why it matters for households
The qualifying week fixes a household's position for the whole winter, so a change of circumstances in late September carries more weight than the same change in December. For older households on fixed incomes, the payment is a direct offset against winter heating costs, and the amount can shift with age, who else lives in the home and whether certain benefits are in payment2. The £35,000 income rule means the payment is not always retained: it can be clawed back through the tax system even where the eligibility conditions are met2. The Cold Weather Payment is separate and supports people on benefits during very cold weather in their area lasting more than a week2.
What happens next
The qualifying week closes on Sunday 27 September 20262. The online form for opting out of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland is available until midday on October 19, 2026; the opting out window for Winter Fuel Payments has closed1. Letters are expected in October or November, with payments from November onwards2. nidirect advises reporting any changes in circumstances straight away, and says all or part of a Winter Fuel Payment may have to be repaid in some cases2.
Sources3 cited
- Pensioners urged to check winter heating payment rules as qualifying week begins - Daily Record, dailyrecord.co.uk
- Winter Fuel Payment | nidirect, nidirect.gov.uk
- Winter Fuel Payment: eligibility, updates and how to claim | Age UK, ageuk.org.uk