Most people received the DWP payment automatically in November and December 2025
The Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) is issuing payments of up to £300, and a key deadline is fast-approaching. While most received it automatically between November and December 2025, others may have been missed and will need to reach out to determine what has happened.
For 2026, the Winter Fuel Payment deadline is January 28, so if you think you’re eligible but don’t receive the cash by ten days’ time, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, administered by the UK Government. This cut-off only applies if you were expecting the money, but it hasn’t been paid into your account; a different deadline applies to others who must submit claims upon receiving the Winter Fuel Payment for the first time.
For the latter situation, the deadline is March 31. You may contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre by phone or post, but you will typically need to know your National Insurance number, bank details and the date you got married or entered a civil partnership (if applicable) before doing so.
Nonetheless, if you’re still unsure or uncertain about your eligibility, look no further. The Mirror has summarised the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment and provided details on the potential amount you could receive.
Who qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment?
People born before September 22, 1959, and living in England or Wales are usually qualified for the Winter Fuel Payment. The payment amount varies based on your situation during the ‘qualifying week’ from September 15 to 21, 2025.
This may differ based on other benefits you receive, like Pension Credit, Income Support, and others. However, generally, if you live alone or no one else you live with qualifies for the payment, you might be eligible for either:
- £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
Conversely, if you and a partner jointly claim Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Income Support, you may receive:
- £200 if both of you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £300 if one or both of you were born before September 22, 1945
Online advice from GOV.UK adds: “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 15 and 21 September 2025. This is called the ‘qualifying week’. Any money you get will not affect your other benefits.”
As previously highlighted, most people eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment should have received it by November or December 2025. If you were expecting the payment but haven’t seen it in your account, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre by January 28.
It’s essential to note that this deadline is distinct from the one for filing a claim, which applies in specific circumstances.
Who generally needs to claim the payment?
While the Winter Fuel Payment is usually issued automatically, this is not always the case. The Government suggests that people who typically need to make a claim are those who have not previously received the Winter Fuel Payment and those who have deferred their State Pension since receiving their last Winter Fuel Payment.
This applies if you did not receive any of the following benefits during the qualifying week:
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
To claim the Winter Fuel Payment, you can fill out a form and mail it to the address provided: Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR. Alternatively, you may call the centre at 0800 731 0160.
For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, contact Relay UK by dialling 18001 followed by 0800 731 0160. For more information, visit GOV.UK here.
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