Winter Fuel Payments can be slashed down to £100.
Winter Fuel Payments can drop as low as £100 (Image: Getty)
State pensioners born in certain years who live with another state pensioner could see their Winter Fuel Payment slashed to just £100 this coming winter.
While most pensioners will see news of the payments totalling £300, this is actually only for one specific group of retirees, and most will actually get £200 with some receiving only £100 payments.
The exact amount depends on your circumstances as of the week just passed, September 21 to 27, 2026.
According to the 2026 rules laid out by the Winter Fuel Payment service, those who were born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960 and live with another state pensioner born in the same timeframe, you will only receive a £100 payment (and so will they).
If you were born between 28 September, 1946 and 27 June, 1960 but the person you live with was born before 28 September 1946, you will also receive £100.
This then goes up to £150 (each) if if you and the person you live with were both born before 28 September 1946.
And finally, you get £200 if you were born before 28 September 1946 but the person you live with was born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960.
For solo state pensioners who do not live with another state pensioner, it’s much more simple. You get £200 if you were aged under 80 during the recent qualifying week, and £300 if you were over 80.
The payments are sent out to everyone by default, with those who earn more than £35,000 then expected to pay it back to HMRC, either by a change of tax code or via a self-assessment tax return, for those who already have income they need to declare (such as rental income).
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’.
“Any money you get will not affect your other benefits.
“HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either: changing your tax code; [or] adding the amount to your Self Assessment tax return.”