The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed which state pensioners are getting the boosted £300 payment this winter. The standard payment is £200, but gets boosted by £100 for people who were born before a specific date. The DWP confirmed an automatic £100 Winter Fuel Payment boost for older claimants, with the payment returning for winter 2026/2027. Those over the age of 80, specifically people born before September 28, 1946, will qualify for an additional £100, bringing their total entitlement to £300.

The payment, which was introduced by the Labour Government in 1997, will be paid to eligible pensioners in England and Wales born before June 28, 1960, later this year to help cover heating costs over the winter months. Pensioners who are eligible will receive a letter from the DWP in October or November confirming their payment amount. The lump sum is then usually paid in full before January.

The government states: “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. This is called the ‘qualifying week’. You’ll get either £200 if you were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 or £300 if you were born before September 28, 1946.”

Meanwhile, Age UK warns: “If you or your partner claims Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, the payment should go to the main claimant of the benefit automatically.

“If you’ve never received a winter fuel payment before, or if you claim Universal Credit, you might need to make a claim. And if you receive Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, you must make a claim.”

Every year, the state takes back Winter Fuel Payments from people who are automatically paid but not entitled. Those who earn more than £35,000 per year will have the amount taken off them, so it’s important to make sure you’re eligible for the payment.

HMRC will take your winter fuel payment back by either changing your tax code or adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return.

Most pensioners will receive the payment automatically and don’t need to do anything to claim it if you get any of the following benefits:

• State Pension
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Attendance Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Carer’s Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• awards from the War Pensions Scheme
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Incapacity Benefit
• Industrial Death Benefit

However, you could still be eligible even if you don’t receive these benefits, in which case you will need to submit a claim for the payment.