The payment is a tax-free benefit for certain older people to help with heating costs during the colder months
DWP rules mean some people may need to claim a benefit that is usually automatic. The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual, tax-free benefit aimed at helping eligible pensioners with their heating bills throughout winter. Whilst it’s normally paid automatically, certain people must submit a claim by a particular date each year.
For 2026, that deadline falls on March 31, leaving around 60 days to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You can apply by telephone or by post, though you’ll generally need your National Insurance number, banking details, and the date of your marriage or civil partnership (where relevant) to hand.
But if you’re not certain whether you qualify in the first place, we’ve got you covered. The Mirror has outlined the eligibility requirements for the Winter Fuel Payment and the exact amounts you might receive below.
Winter Fuel Payment eligibility
Those born before September 22, 1959, and living in England or Wales, typically qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment. How much you’re entitled to depends on your situation during the ‘qualifying week’, which ran from September 15 to 21, 2025.
This can vary depending on other benefits you’re claiming, including Pension Credit, Income Support, and similar payments. However, as a rule, if you’re living by yourself or nobody else in your household qualifies for the payment, you could be in line to receive either:
- £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
On the other hand, 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 might get:
- £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
Official guidance 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.”
The majority of people automatically entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment should have had it paid in November or December 2025. If you were anticipating the payment, but it hasn’t appeared in your account, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before January 28.
Bear in mind that this deadline differs from the one for submitting a claim, which is relevant in certain circumstances.
Who generally needs to submit a claim?
According to the Government, those who usually need to submit a claim include people who haven’t previously been paid the Winter Fuel Payment and those who have postponed their State Pension since their last receiving their Winter Fuel Payment.
This is relevant if you weren’t in receipt of any of these benefits during the qualifying week:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- 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
To claim the Winter Fuel Payment, you can fill out a claim form and post it to: Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR. You can also ring the centre on 0800 731 0160.
If you’re unable to speak or hear over the telephone, get in touch with Relay UK by dialling 18001 followed by 0800 731 0160. For more information, visit GOV.UK here.
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