Ad: this guide contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn commission, at no extra cost to you.
Home & Kitchen
Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment: who gets what in 2026/27
The three main winter energy payments for 2026/27 explained: the £150 Warm Home Discount, the £100 to £300 Winter Fuel Payment and £25 Cold Weather Payments, with eligibility and dates.
By Daily Offer Deals editorial team7 min read
On this page 9 sections
Quick answer
There are three main government-backed winter payments in 2026/27. The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 off your electricity bill for eligible households, mostly people on Pension Credit or certain means-tested benefits on 23 August 2026 (in England and Wales). The Winter Fuel Payment is £100 to £300 for people born on or before 27 June 1960, recovered through tax if your income is over £35,000. Cold Weather Payments are £25 for each 7-day spell of very cold weather between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027 for people on certain benefits. Most people get all three automatically.
This guide summarises the official rules. It isn’t financial advice. Always check gov.uk or ask Citizens Advice about your own situation.
At a glance
| Payment | How much | Who it’s for | How you get it | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Home Discount | £150 off your electricity bill (one-off) | Households on certain benefits on the qualifying date | Usually automatic, via your supplier | Separate rules; you may need to apply to your supplier |
| Winter Fuel Payment | £100 to £300 | People born on or before 27 June 1960 | Usually automatic | Not available; Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead |
| Cold Weather Payment | £25 per 7-day very cold spell | People on certain benefits | Automatic | Not available; Winter Heating Payment instead |
None of these affect each other: the Warm Home Discount doesn’t affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.
Warm Home Discount 2026/27
What it is
A one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. The money isn’t paid to you: your supplier takes it off your bill. If your supplier provides both your gas and electricity, you may be able to have it on your gas bill instead, so ask them. If you have a prepayment meter, your supplier will explain how you’ll get it, for example as a top-up voucher.
Who qualifies in England and Wales
For winter 2026 to 2027 the qualifying date is 23 August 2026. The government’s eligibility statement says you qualify (in the “core group”) if, on that date, you or your partner were getting:
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit or Savings Credit)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Housing Benefit
- Universal Credit
Check the eligibility statement on gov.uk for the full conditions, including the rules about whose name is on the electricity account.
How you get it
Most eligible households get it automatically, based on government data matching. If your eligibility can’t be confirmed from the data, you may get a letter asking you to contact the Warm Home Discount helpline. Don’t ignore it, and check any letter is genuine by finding the number on gov.uk yourself rather than using a number from an unexpected text or email.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland has its own Warm Home Discount rules, and you may need to apply directly to your energy supplier. The scheme isn’t available in Northern Ireland. People living in park (mobile) homes apply through a separate Park Homes scheme.
Winter Fuel Payment 2026/27
Who qualifies
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2026 to 2027 if you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and meet the other conditions. The qualifying week is 21 to 27 September 2026: what you get depends on your circumstances that week.
How much
The amount ranges from £100 to £300. Some of the most common cases from gov.uk:
| Your situation in the qualifying week | Born 28 Sep 1946 to 27 Jun 1960 | Born before 28 Sep 1946 |
|---|---|---|
| Living alone (or no one you live with qualifies) | £200 | £300 |
| Getting a qualifying benefit (not a joint claim) | £200 | £300 |
| Living in a care home | £100 | £150 |
If you live with someone else who’s eligible and neither of you gets a qualifying benefit, you’ll usually each get a share (for example £100 each if you’re both in the younger group). The full table for couples and joint benefit claims is on gov.uk.
Income over £35,000
If your total income is over £35,000, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will take the payment back through the tax system. Your partner’s income isn’t counted. You can choose to opt out of receiving it; see the gov.uk page for how.
When it’s paid
Most eligible people should get a letter in October or November saying how much they’ll get, and most will be paid in November or December 2026. If you think you’re eligible but haven’t heard anything, check the “how to claim” section on gov.uk.
Scotland
You can’t get the Winter Fuel Payment if you live in Scotland. You may be eligible for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland instead (see mygov.scot).
Cold Weather Payment 2026/27
What it is
You get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027. A payment is triggered when the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for 7 days in a row.
Who qualifies
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you get:
- Pension Credit
- Income-related ESA, usually if you’re in the work-related activity group or support group, or have certain premiums, a disabled child or a child under 5
- Universal Credit, usually if you’re not employed or gainfully self-employed and you have limited capability for work or a child under 5 (or your claim includes a disabled child amount, whether or not you work)
- Support for Mortgage Interest, in certain circumstances
The full conditions are on gov.uk. Payments are automatic: you don’t need to apply. They usually arrive in the same bank account as your benefits.
Scotland
Cold Weather Payments aren’t available in Scotland. Eligible people may get an annual Winter Heating Payment instead, which is paid regardless of the weather.
What to do if you think you’re missing out
- Check if you could get Pension Credit. It’s a gateway to all three payments. Many people who are entitled don’t claim. Use the gov.uk Pension Credit page or a benefits calculator.
- Use an independent benefits calculator. Gov.uk lists free, anonymous ones.
- Tell your energy supplier about any change in circumstances and ask about its own hardship help.
- Get free advice. Citizens Advice can check what you’re entitled to and help with applications.
Our winter energy-saving guide covers ways to cut your bill alongside these payments, and you’ll find everyday basics in our essentials section.
Keep the cold out while you wait for payments to arrive: browse hot water bottles on Amazon or thermal socks.
Beware of scams
Scammers often send texts and emails about “winter fuel” or “energy rebates”. Gov.uk payments are automatic for most people. Never give bank details through a link in an unexpected message. Report suspicious texts by forwarding them to 7726.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Warm Home Discount Scheme
- GOV.UK: Warm Home Discount eligibility statement, England and Wales, 2026 to 2027
- GOV.UK: Winter Fuel Payment
- GOV.UK: Winter Fuel Payment, how much you’ll get
- GOV.UK: Cold Weather Payment
- GOV.UK: Cold Weather Payment eligibility
- GOV.UK: Pension Credit
- mygov.scot: Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
- mygov.scot: Winter Heating Payment
- Citizens Advice: Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to apply for the Warm Home Discount?
In England and Wales, most eligible households get it automatically. If eligibility can’t be confirmed from government data, you may get a letter asking you to call the helpline. In Scotland you may need to apply to your supplier.
Will I lose my Winter Fuel Payment if I earn over £35,000?
You’ll still get paid, but HMRC will take it back through the tax system. You can opt out instead. Your partner’s income doesn’t count towards the £35,000.
How do I know if a Cold Weather Payment has been triggered in my area?
Check the Cold Weather Payment page on gov.uk, which has had a postcode checker in past winters. Either way, you’ll be paid automatically if you’re eligible.
Can I get the Warm Home Discount and the Winter Fuel Payment?
Yes. They’re separate schemes and getting one doesn’t affect the other.
I live in Scotland. What can I get?
Scotland has the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment and the Winter Heating Payment, run by Social Security Scotland, and its own Warm Home Discount rules. Check mygov.scot and gov.uk.
About the author
Daily Offer Deals editorial team
The Daily Offer Deals team checks UK deals by hand and writes practical buying guides. We never claim hands-on testing we have not done.
