The DWP has confirmed that people over the State Pension age who need to claim this year’s Winter Fuel Payment can do so by post from 15 September and over the phone from 15 October
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that those over the State Pension age can claim this year’s Winter Fuel Payment by post from 15 September and over the phone from 15 October.
The UK Government recently announced that Winter Fuel Payments will be automatically issued to approximately nine million people in England and Wales, with a different payment being issued to Scottish pensioners. Those born before 22 September 1959 will receive between £100 – £300 during November and December, but they will receive a letter beforehand informing them of the exact amount to expect.
UK Government guidance has confirmed there are two specific groups of people who may need to claim Winter Fuel Payment, but it’s crucial to note that this can only be done by post or over the phone.
Scam warning
If you receive a text or an email instructing you to claim by clicking on a link or calling a number, it is a scam – DWP has already issued warnings on social media about these fraudulent messages, urging pensioners to report them, reports the Daily Record.
Check if you need to claim
The DWP has confirmed that the majority of eligible people will automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment during the qualifying week, which falls between 15 – 21 September 2025.
You won’t need to claim if you’re receiving any of the following:
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Incapacity Benefit
- State Pension
- Attendance Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Pension Credit
- Industrial Death Benefit
- Income Support
How to claim
You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by:
- post – from September 15, 2025
- phone – from October 13, 2025
The deadline to make a claim for winter 2025 to 2026 is March 31, 2026.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
- need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025
- live outside England and Wales
- were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year before that
