You may be able to get extra help with heating costs during winter.
The help you can get depends on your age, income, benefits and where you live.
There is more than one scheme, so check which ones apply to you.
Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment helps older people with winter heating costs.
For winter 2026/27, it applies to eligible people in:
- England
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
Scotland has a different payment.
For winter 2026/27, you may qualify for Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and meet the other rules.
Most people who qualify get the payment automatically.
How Much Is Winter Fuel Payment?
For winter 2026/27, the payment can be between £100 and £300.
The amount depends on your age and circumstances.
If you qualify, you should normally receive a letter telling you how much you will get.
Most payments are due in November or December 2026.
What If Your Income Is Higher?
There is an important rule for winter 2026/27.
If your total income is over £35,000, HMRC will take the Winter Fuel Payment back.
Your partner’s income does not count towards your £35,000 limit.
So, you may receive the payment first and then have the same amount taken back through the tax system.
Do You Need to Apply?
Most eligible people do not need to apply.
For example, payment is normally automatic if you receive the State Pension or certain benefits.
However, some people need to make a claim.
Claims for winter 2026/27 open on 21 September 2026.
So, if you think you qualify but do not normally receive the payment automatically, check whether you need to claim.
What About Scotland?
Scotland does not use the Winter Fuel Payment.
Instead, it has the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
This provides winter heating help for people of pension age in Scotland.
For 2026/27, people with personal income over £35,000 will have the payment recovered through the tax system.
So, if you live in Scotland, check the Scottish scheme rather than the Winter Fuel Payment.
Cold Weather Payment
The Cold Weather Payment is different.
It helps some people on certain benefits when the weather becomes very cold.
It is linked to the temperature where you live.
You may qualify if you receive certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest and meet the other rules.
How Does Cold Weather Payment Work?
A payment is triggered when the average temperature in your area is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below for seven days in a row.
If you qualify, the payment is made automatically.
You do not normally need to apply.
For the last published payment season, the payment was £25 for each qualifying seven-day period.
Check the current amount when the new winter season begins.
Does Scotland Have Cold Weather Payments?
No.
Scotland replaced Cold Weather Payments with a Winter Heating Payment.
Unlike Cold Weather Payments, the Scottish payment is not triggered by a spell of very cold weather.
So, the system works differently.
What About Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland has its own Cold Weather Payment scheme.
For winter 2026/27, it runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Eligible people receive £25 for each seven-day period of qualifying cold weather.
Warm Home Discount
You may also qualify for the Warm Home Discount.
This is separate from Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment.
For winter 2026/27, it provides a £150 discount for eligible households.
So, getting one type of winter help does not necessarily mean you cannot get another.
Learn more: Warm Home Discount →
Could You Get More Than One Payment?
Yes.
These schemes do different jobs and have different rules.
For example, someone may qualify for Winter Fuel Payment and also receive the Warm Home Discount.
So, do not stop checking after finding one scheme.
Look at all the help that may apply to you.
What If You Are Struggling Now?
Do not wait for a winter payment if you cannot afford your energy.
Contact your supplier.
Tell them you are struggling to pay or cannot afford to top up your meter.
Also check whether grants or other help are available.
Learn more: Energy Debt and Support →
Learn more: Energy Grants and Supplier Support →
Check Your Benefits
Some winter payments depend on the benefits you receive.
So, check whether you are getting everything you can claim.
This is especially important if your income or circumstances have changed.
A benefits check may find help you did not know you could get.
Watch Out for Scams
Be careful if you receive a message asking you to apply for a winter payment.
Many payments are made automatically.
Do not give bank details, passwords or other personal information to someone simply because they say you need to claim a payment.
Instead, check through an official government service.
What Should You Check?
Start with where you live.
Then check:
Are you of pension age?
→ Look at Winter Fuel Payment or Scotland’s Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
Do you receive certain benefits?
→ Check whether Cold Weather Payment or Scotland’s Winter Heating Payment applies.
Are you on a lower income?
→ Check the Warm Home Discount and other support.
Are you struggling to pay now?
→ Contact your supplier and check grants and debt help.
Key Points
- Several schemes can help with winter heating costs.
- The schemes differ across the UK.
- You may qualify for more than one type of help.
- Some payments are automatic, while others may need a claim.
- Check the current rules each winter.
Check all the help available to you — not just one scheme.
Important Information
Energility provides general information to help you understand energy, household and business costs, services and ways to save money. It is not financial, legal, tax, technical or professional advice.
Prices, tariffs, grants, government schemes, regulations and other information can change. Costs, savings and calculator results are estimates and your actual results may be different.
Before making an important financial decision, signing a contract or carrying out significant work, check the latest information and consider getting advice from a suitably qualified professional where needed.
Energility may receive a commission or other benefit from some links or services. Where this applies, we aim to make it clear. This does not increase the price you pay unless stated otherwise.
Next: Energy Grants and Supplier Support →
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