State pensioners born before a certain date will get an instant £100 boost to their Winter Fuel Payments for 2026, the DWP has confirmed.

Winter Fuel Payment criteria have been changed twice in two years, with a switch to Pension Credit proving largely unpopular before the system was changed once again in 2025. The current system will remain in place for winter 2026, from October 2026 to January 2027.

A decision to make winter fuel payments means-tested and tied to Pension Credit eligibility meant that the £200 or £300 payments were only available to those on a very low income, about £11,000, which proved very controversial.

For this past winter, the system was changed again and meant that all state pensioners would once again receive the money on a universal basis, with only those earning a much more generous £35,000 or more being made to give it back.

The DWP has now confirmed Winter Fuel Payment rates and details for this coming winter 2026. It says that those who are of state pension age but aged under 80, so born between September 28, 1946, and June 27, 1960, will be eligible for only a £200 payment, whereas those aged over 80 - so born before September 28, 1946 - will qualify for an instant £100 increase, giving them a £300 payment instead.

The amount you will get for 2026 is based on when you were born and what your circumstances were between September 21 and 27, 2026. This is called the 'qualifying week'.

This means that if you are now aged 80 or over and qualify, your Winter Fuel Payment will increase from £200 to £300.

The Government explains: "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


• £300 if you were born before September 28, 1946"

Most people who qualify will get a letter telling you how much you'll get and which bank account this will be paid into - which is usually the same as your Pension Credit or other benefits.

Age UK said: "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.

"You should receive your payment between mid-November and Christmas. Call the winter fuel payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 if you have any enquiries or you don't receive your payment."