Check if you need to claim

The DWP has stated that most people will automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment if they were eligible during the qualifying week, which was between 15 and 21 September 2025. You do not need to make a claim if you receive 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

If you’re not receiving any of these, you’ll need to make a claim if either of the following apply:

How to make a claim

You can apply for the Winter Fuel Payment by:

The deadline to submit a claim for winter 2025 to 2026 is 31 March 2026. Full instructions on how to apply by post or phone are available on GOV.UK here.

Eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments

You’re eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 22 September 1959 and live in England or Wales.

When you won’t be eligible

You won’t qualify if you:

• Live outside England and Wales (residents in Scotland will receive the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment)
• Were hospitalised receiving free treatment for the entire week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year prior
• Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds
• Were incarcerated for the entire week of 15 to 21 September 2025

If you reside in a care home

You can receive Winter Fuel Payment if you reside in a care home, though you will not qualify if both of the following conditions are met:

• You receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• You resided in a care home for the entire period from 23 June 2025 or earlier

If your income exceeds £35,000

HMRC will recover your entire Winter Fuel Payment through either PAYE or your Self Assessment tax return. The opt-out period for pensioners in England and Wales ended on September 15.

The opt-out period for Scottish pensioners concluded on October 10.

When you will receive payment

The DWP stated that most payments will be issued automatically in November or December.

You should receive correspondence informing you:

• How much you’ll receive
• Which bank account the payment will be made to – this is typically the same account used for your State Pension or other benefits

The DWP added: “If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.”