If you think you’re eligible but haven’t received it, you’ll need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is dishing out payments of up to £300, but a crucial deadline is looming. While the majority received it automatically between November and December 2025, some may have been overlooked and will need to get in touch to find out what’s happened.
For 2026, the Winter Fuel Payment deadline is January 28, so if you believe you’re eligible but haven’t received the cash within eight days, you should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, administered by the UK Government. This cut-off only applies if you were expecting the money, but it hasn’t landed in your account; a different deadline applies to others who must submit claims upon receiving the Winter Fuel Payment for the first time.
For the latter situation, the deadline is March 31. You can reach out to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre via phone or post, but you’ll typically need to know your National Insurance number, bank details and the date you tied the knot or entered a civil partnership (if applicable) before doing so.
However, if you’re still unsure about whether you qualify, don’t worry. The Daily Star has broken down the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment and provided information on the potential amount you could pocket.
Who qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment?
People born before September 22, 1959, who reside in England or Wales are typically eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. The payment sum depends on your circumstances during the ‘qualifying week’ from September 15 to 21, 2025.
This could vary depending on other benefits you claim, such as Pension Credit, Income Support, and similar entitlements. Nevertheless, generally speaking, if you reside alone or nobody else in your household qualifies for the payment, you could be entitled to 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 receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Income Support, you may be awarded:
- £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
According to the Mirror, advice 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.”
As mentioned earlier, most people entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment should have received it by November or December 2025. If you were anticipating the payment but haven’t spotted it in your account, get in touch with the Winter Fuel Payment Centre by January 28.
It’s crucial to understand that this deadline differs from the one for submitting a claim, which applies in particular situations.
Who generally needs to claim the payment?
While the Winter Fuel Payment is typically issued automatically, there are exceptions. The Government suggests 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 did not receive any of the following benefits during the qualifying week:
- 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
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
To claim the Winter Fuel Payment, you can fill out a form and mail it to the address provided: Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR. Alternatively, you may call the centre at 0800 731 0160.
For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, contact Relay UK by dialling 18001 followed by 0800 731 0160. For more information, visit GOV.UK here.
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