DWP issues new Winter Fuel Payment claims warning to all pensioners
What are phishing scams and how can you recognise them?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment qualifying period is September 15-21. One-off payments of between £100 and £300 will be issued automatically to around nine million people in England and Wales over November and December.
Similarly, older people in Scotland will receive automatic payments of up to £305.10 through the devolved Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) on November 30. These payments will be issued by Social Security Scotland.
However, DWP is warning all pensioners to be on the lookout for texts about claiming this year's Winter Fuel Payment as it is a scam. This is also something consumer champion Martin Lewis warned about shortly after the eligibility policy U-turn was announced last month.
In a post on X, DWP posted: 'Beware: If you get a text about "Winter Fuel Payment" it is a scam.Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, you do not need to do anything.'
It also gave details on how to report suspicious texts at GOV.UK here.
These 'phishing scams' enable crooks to hook innocent victims by sending convincing looking fake messages purporting to be government agencies like the DWP.
But they are simply a ploy to lure people to click on a link which can take them to a fake website - which may appear completely genuine - and enter their personal and financial details, unknowingly giving criminals access to sensitive data.
The DWP message is clear - Winter Fuel Payments will be issued automatically, nobody needs to claim it.
Eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959 and live in England or Wales.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
live outside England and Wales
were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year before that
need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025
If you live in a care home
You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home, however, you will not be eligible if both of the following apply:
you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
you lived in a care home for the whole time from 23 June 2025 or earlier
Payments
DWP guidance explains: '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.'
It's important to be aware that scammers may try and trick you into making a claim by text, prompting you to click on a link. This is not an official DWP message and should be deleted. If you think you need to claim, follow the guidance on GOV.UK here.
The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 15 to 21 September 2025. This is called the 'qualifying week'. Any money you get will not affect your other benefits.
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
You will get either:
£200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
£300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
If you live with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
Your payment may be different if you get one of the following benefits:
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
If you do not get any of the benefits
You will get a payment of:
£100 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
£100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959 but the person you live with was born before September 22, 1945
£200 if you were born before September 22, 1945 but the person you live with was born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
£150 if you and the person you live with were born before September 22, 1945
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits
One of you will get a payment of either:
£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
The money will be paid into the bank account your benefits are usually paid into.
If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim)
You will get a payment of either:
£200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
£300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
If your income is more than £35,000
HMRC will take back all of your Winter Fuel Payment through either PAYE or your Self Assessment tax return.
If you live in a care home
If you are eligible you'll get either:
£100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
£150 if you were born before September 22, 1945
When you will get paid
DWP said most payments will be made automatically in November or December.
You should get a letter telling you:
how much you'll get
which bank account it will be paid into - this is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits
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.'
Opting out of Winter Fuel Payment
You can choose to opt out of getting all future Winter Fuel Payments. To opt out you need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before September 15, 2025.
Full details on what you will need before contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre can be found on GOV.UK here.
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