Pensioners have received a gentle reminder from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regarding the Winter Fuel Payment, which is expected to be disbursed to eligible individuals by January 28.
Recent confirmation from the DWP indicates that the majority of the nine million pensioner households eligible for the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment should have already received the one-time payment of £100, £200, or £300 before the end of December. Residents aged over 66 in Scotland should have also received their Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland before the start of the new year.
In case pensioners have not received a notification or the payment by January 28, the official DWP advice is to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre as a claim may be required. The funds are typically deposited in bank accounts where State Pension or benefits are usually received, with the payment reference starting with the National Insurance number followed by “DWP WFP,” as reported by the Daily Record.
Pensioners are urged to carefully review their bank statements for this payment reference 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’s online guidelines outline specific groups of individuals who may need to claim the Winter Fuel Payment by post or telephone before March 31, 2026.
The DWP assures that most eligible individuals will automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment if they qualify during the specified week between September 15 – 21, 2025.
No claim is necessary for recipients of certain benefits. However, individuals not receiving these benefits should make a claim if they meet specific criteria.
To claim the Winter Fuel Payment for the 2025/2026 winter season, the deadline is March 31, 2026. Detailed instructions on how to make a claim by post or phone are available on the GOV.UK website.