Winter Fuel Payments are being made automatically to pensioners in England and Wales until the end of December. The amount varies between £100 and £300, depending on whether they live as a couple, receive other benefits or live in a care home.
The Department for Work and Pensions has urged pensioners to watch out for scam messages and people posing as Government officials or payment providers.
The Government will not ask pensioners to provide bank details to receive the payment. If anyone receives a text message inviting them to apply for a payment, they should not engage with it, including clicking on links, and forward it to 7726.
Most pensioners should receive this payment in their bank account by mid-December. The payment reference pensioners receive will begin with the recipient’s National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP WFP’.
If any pensioner has questions on whether they are eligible or has not received a payment by 28 January 2026, they should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
Pensioners with an income of over £35,000 may need to repay their Winter Fuel Payment back later – either automatically through their tax code from April 2026 or their tax return for 2025/26. They do not need to do anything – DWP say HMRC will be in touch.
