About the Winter Fuel Payment Calculator
This Winter Fuel Payment calculator works out how much you should get for winter 2026 to 2027 and whether you will keep it. The payment is £100 to £300 depending on your age, whether you live with someone else who qualifies, whether you are in a care home, and whether you get Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA. You qualify if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026.
Since winter 2025 to 2026, everyone of State Pension age gets the payment automatically, but HM Revenue and Customs takes it back from anyone whose own total taxable income for the tax year is over £35,000. Your partner’s income does not count. Recovery is through your PAYE tax code or your Self Assessment bill, and you can opt out instead if you would rather not receive it.
Use it if you are approaching pension age, helping a parent check their letter, or deciding whether to opt out. Most people are paid in November or December 2026. In Scotland the Winter Fuel Payment has been replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, run by Social Security Scotland.
With the default inputs, the winter fuel payment (you keep) is £200.00. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the winter fuel payment calculator
- 1Choose your date-of-birth band and where you live.
- 2Pick your living situation during 21–27 September 2026.
- 3If you live with another qualifying person, choose their birth band.
- 4Say whether you get Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA.
- 5Enter your own total taxable income to see if HMRC will take the payment back.
Formula and method
The payment amount comes from the GOV.UK table for winter 2026 to 2027. Living alone (or with people who don’t qualify) gives £200, or £300 if born before 28 September 1946. If you live with another qualifying person, each of you gets a share: £100 if you were born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, £200 if you are 80+ and they are younger, or £150 each if you are both 80+. A joint claim for Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA gives one household payment of £200, or £300 if either of you is 80+. Care home residents get £100 or £150, but nothing if they get one of those benefits.
If your own total taxable income for the 2026/27 tax year is over £35,000, HMRC recovers the whole payment — it is not tapered. Partner income is ignored, so in a couple one person may keep their share while the other repays.
- Payment
- £100, £150, £200 or £300 depending on age band and household
- Income
- Your total taxable income for 2026/27 before deductions
Worked examples
Pensioner living alone with £22,000 income
Someone born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960 who lives alone gets £200. With income of £22,000 — under £35,000 — they keep the full amount.
Couple, both 80+, no benefits, one with £40,000 income
When two people born before 28 September 1946 live together, each receives £150. This person’s income is £5,000 over the threshold, so HMRC recovers their full £150; their partner keeps theirs if their own income is under £35,000.
Couple on joint Pension Credit, one aged 80+
On a joint qualifying benefit claim where at least one partner was born before 28 September 1946, one £300 payment is made for the household, and with low income it is kept in full.
Care home resident getting Pension Credit
People who have lived in a care home since before the qualifying period and receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA do not get a Winter Fuel Payment.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Winter Fuel Payment for 2026 to 2027?+
Between £100 and £300. Most people born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960 who live alone get £200, and those born before 28 September 1946 get £300. Amounts are shared when two qualifying people live together.
Who gets the Winter Fuel Payment in 2026?+
Anyone born on or before 27 June 1960 who usually lives in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and was living there during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026. Payment is automatic if you get the State Pension or another social security benefit.
What happens if my income is over £35,000?+
You still receive the payment, but HMRC takes all of it back, usually by adjusting your PAYE tax code for a later year or adding it to your Self Assessment bill. Only your own income counts, not your partner’s. You can opt out if you prefer.
What counts as income for the £35,000 threshold?+
Your total taxable income for the tax year before deductions — State Pension, private and workplace pensions, earnings, self-employed profit, savings interest, dividends and property income. Tax-free income such as ISA interest and Pension Credit is not included.
When will Winter Fuel Payment be paid?+
Most eligible people are paid in November or December 2026, with a letter in October or November telling you the amount. If you have not been paid by mid-January 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
Can I get Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland?+
No. People in Scotland get the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland instead. It has its own rules and amounts, so check with Social Security Scotland rather than using this calculator.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.