This autumn, Winter Fuel Payments of up to £300 will be reinstated under the new Labour Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. However, the amount each pensioner receives will vary significantly depending on their age and living situation.
Under the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) guidelines, individuals living alone or with no one else eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment will receive either £200 if born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, or £300 if born before 28 September 1946.
For households sharing eligibility, the payment changes based on both residents’ birthdates and benefit claims. If neither you nor your housemate receives Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), each will receive £100 if both were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960.
Specific scenarios include:
- £100 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, but your cohabitant was born before 28 September 1946.
- £200 if you were born before 28 September 1946 and your housemate was born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960.
- £150 if both you and your housemate were born before 28 September 1946.
Couples jointly claiming eligible benefits will receive either £200 if both were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, or £300 if one or both were born before 28 September 1946.
These variations mean some pensioners will receive payments £200 lower than others. The DWP will deposit payments directly into the bank accounts used for existing benefit payments.
For 2026, payment amounts are determined by eligibility and circumstances between 21 and 27 September 2026.