You have until the end of March to claim if the money hasn’t arrived
Pensioners have been issued a one-week reminder about a winter payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The Winter Fuel Payment should be paid to all eligible people by January 28.
The DWP lately verified that the majority of the nine million pensioner households entitled to the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment should have been issued the one-off sum of £100, £200 or £300 prior to the end of December. Those aged over 66 in Scotland should similarly have obtained their Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland ahead of the new year.
Nevertheless, official DWP guidance states if pensioners “do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 2026 28, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre” as a claim may be necessary. As reported by the Daily Record, the funds will appear in bank accounts – where the State Pension or benefits are typically deposited – with the payment reference beginning with the National Insurance number followed by “DWP WFP”.
Pensioners are advised to thoroughly examine their bank statements for this reference code before getting in touch with the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160. It’s crucial to note that only pensioners born before September 22, 1959 with an income at or below £35,000 will be issued an automatic Winter Fuel Payment from the DWP.
UK Government online guidance identifies two particular categories of people who may be required to claim Winter Fuel Payment, but it’s vital to understand this can only be actioned by post or telephone before March 31, 2026.
The DWP has stated that the majority of individuals will automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment if they are eligible during the qualifying week, which occurred between 15 – 21 September 2025.
You won’t need to make a claim if you’re receiving any of the following:
- 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
However, if you’re not in receipt of any of these benefits, you’ll need to make a claim if either of the following conditions apply:
- You’ve never received the Winter Fuel Payment before
- You’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment
How to make a claim
You can lodge a claim for the Winter Fuel Payment via:
- Post
- Telephone
The deadline for submitting a claim for winter 2025 to 2026 is 31 March 2026. Comprehensive instructions on how to claim by post or phone can be found on the GOV.UK website here.