Pensioners are being reminded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about the upcoming Winter Fuel Payment, which is scheduled to be paid to eligible individuals by January 28. The DWP has confirmed that the majority of the nine million pensioner households entitled to the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment should have already received the one-off payment of £100, £200, or £300 by the end of December. Those aged over 66 in Scotland should have also received their Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland before the new year.

However, if pensioners have not received the payment by January 28, they are advised to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre as a claim may be necessary. The payment will be deposited into bank accounts where State Pension or benefits are usually received, with the payment reference starting with the National Insurance number followed by “DWP WFP.”

To ensure receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment, pensioners are encouraged to check their bank statements for the specific reference code before reaching out to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre at 0800 731 0160. It is important to note that only pensioners born before September 22, 1959, with an income at or below £35,000, will automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment from the DWP.

The UK Government has outlined specific categories of individuals who may need to claim the Winter Fuel Payment, but claims must be submitted by post or telephone before March 31, 2026. Most eligible individuals should automatically receive the payment if they met the criteria during the qualifying week between September 15-21, 2025.

Claiming for the Winter Fuel Payment can be done via post or phone, with the deadline for the 2025/26 winter season set for March 31, 2026. Detailed instructions on how to claim can be found on the GOV.UK website.

This website and its partners use cookies and other identifiers to enhance the site experience, analyze usage, and display personalized ads. Users can opt out of data sharing by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button on the website. By using the website and services, users agree to the use of cookies as described in the Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.