DWP Winter Fuel Payment January 2026 deadline warning
Over 9 million people in England and Wales should be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment of between £100 and £300
Many households that were anticipating the Winter Fuel Payment in the lead-up to Christmas may have noticed that it has yet to appear in their bank accounts. Households nationwide will have already received letters from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regarding this payment.
These letters would have confirmed a household’s eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment and the amount they were entitled to. According to DWP data, over nine million people born before 22 September 1959 should receive between £100 and £300 from the Winter Fuel Payment.
This one-off payment is intended to offset higher energy costs, as many households can expect to spend more on heating their homes during the chillier months. Letters should have been dispatched in October and November to inform pensioners of the payment, but not everyone may receive the payment despite being eligible.
What if I haven’t received the Winter Fuel Payment yet?
The DWP has emphasised that letters will be sent out to eligible claimants throughout the winter season. However, its guidance also states that if someone doesn’t receive a letter or a Winter Fuel Payment by 28 January 2026, they should get in touch with the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
When getting in touch with the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, you should provide your personal information, including your name, address, date of birth, and National Insurance Number where relevant, so they can assist with your enquiry. You can reach the Centre by calling 0800 731 0160, submitting an online email enquiry, or posting a letter to the following address:
Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1LR
Winter Fuel Payment eligibility
You’re eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959 and reside in England or Wales. The government stated: “The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 15 and 21, 2025. This is called the ‘qualifying week’.”
When you will not be entitled
You will not be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment if you:
- Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- Live outside England and Wales
- Were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025
- Were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year before that
