# UK Winter Fuel Payment eligibility and rules > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-winter-fuel-payment-eligibility-and-rules > Updated: 2026-09-01T13:59:35.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. The UK government’s Winter Fuel Payment scheme for the 2026 to 2027 period provides between £100 and £300 to over nine million pensioners in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to assist with heating costs. Eligibility is primarily restricted to those born on or before June 27, 1960. Certain groups are excluded, such as residents of Scotland, individuals in hospital or prison during the qualifying week of September 21 to September 27, 2026, and those subject to immigration restrictions. Some care home residents receiving specific benefits may also be ineligible. A key provision dictates that if an individual’s total income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will reclaim the payment. For those affected, HMRC adjusts tax codes to recover funds through the PAYE system, resulting in monthly deductions of approximately £17 for those under 80 and £25 for those aged 80 or over. To avoid these tax implications, pensioners can opt out of the payment. The deadline to use the ‘Manage your State Pension’ service or an online form is September 20, 2026, while the helpline deadline is September 18, 2026. Once an individual opts out, the status remains in effect for future years unless they choose to opt back in by March 31, 2027. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-01: UK Winter Fuel Payment: Eligibility and opt-out deadlines Over nine million pensioners in the UK may receive £100 to £300 in winter fuel payments, though those earning over £35,000 face tax recovery if they do not opt out by September 2026. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-winter-fuel-payment-eligibility-and-opt-out-deadlines ### 2026-08-29: UK Winter Fuel Payment eligibility rules for 2026 UK pensioners in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland can receive £100–£300 in Winter Fuel Payments, though specific income, residency, and healthcare criteria may disqualify some recipients. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-winter-fuel-payment-eligibility-rules-for-2026 --- Cite as: UK Winter Fuel Payment eligibility and rules. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-winter-fuel-payment-eligibility-and-rules