You can make a claim for the Winter Fuel Payment via the phone or post – see if you’re eligible
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual, tax-free benefit designed to assist certain older people with their heating costs during the colder months. Although it’s usually issued automatically, some people may need to make a claim before a specific date each year.
For 2026, the deadline is March 31, meaning you have just under 80 days to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You can do this via the 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.
However, if you’re unsure whether you’re even eligible at all, look no further. The Mirror has summarised the Winter Fuel Payment’s eligibility criteria and exactly how much you could get down below.
Winter Fuel Payment eligibility
People born before September 22, 1959, who are currently residing in England or Wales, are generally eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. The amount you are eligible to receive depends on your circumstances during the ‘qualifying week’, which spanned from September 15 to 21, 2025.
This may vary depending on other benefits you receive, such as Pension Credit, Income Support, and others. Nevertheless, usually, if you live alone or no one else you live with is eligible for the payment, you could potentially get 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.”
Most people who are automatically issued the Winter Fuel Payment should have received this in November or December 2025. If you were expecting the money but this hasn’t been paid into your account, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre by January 28.
It’s important to remember that this deadline is separate from the one for making a claim, which applies in different situations.
Who usually needs to make a claim?
The Government explains 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 were not receiving any of the following 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 apply for the Winter Fuel Payment, you may complete a claim form and send it to the following address: Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR. Alternatively, you may call the centre at 0800 731 0160.
For those who cannot speak or hear on the phone, contact Relay UK by dialling 18001 followed by 0800 731 0160. For more information, visit GOV.UK here.
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