Up to 154,000 older people across England and Wales could miss out on Winter Fuel Payment worth between £100 and £300 if they do not make a claim. Telephone applications open on Monday 19 October, and experts are urging eligible pensioners to check their status beforehand.
The payment is available to most people of State Pension age, but while the majority receive it automatically, some must actively claim. People born on or before June 27, 1960, with an income under £35,000 are entitled to up to £300.
Who needs to claim
According to the government, the groups that need to claim are those who do not receive certain benefits and who either have not had the Winter Fuel Payment before, or who have deferred their State Pension since their last Winter Fuel Payment.
George Penny, Home Energy Expert at The Solar Co, said: "With telephone claims opening on Monday 19th October, anyone who may need to actively claim this year’s Winter Fuel Payment should use the next few days to check their eligibility and get the right information together. Our analysis suggests up to 154,000 older people across England and Wales could currently be deferring their State Pension, making them one of the key groups who may need to claim the benefit worth between £100 and £300, rather than receive the payment automatically."
"Not all of these people will need to call, as some will receive another qualifying benefit that triggers automatic payment. However, if you don’t receive State Pension or another qualifying benefit, and you’ve either never received Winter Fuel Payment before or deferred your State Pension since your last payment, it’s worth checking whether you need to make a claim."
Letters and payment dates
George adds: "Eligible pensioners should also keep an eye on their post over the coming weeks. Letters are being sent during October and November confirming how much people will receive, and most automatic payments will then be made during November or December."
"If you're expecting a payment, read any correspondence carefully rather than assuming it's junk mail, and be particularly wary of unsolicited calls, emails or text messages asking for passwords or bank details. Fraudsters can use genuine government payment dates to make scams appear more convincing."
"For anyone who does need to claim, telephone applications opening on 19 October provide another route to access the support, but getting your details together now means you're prepared before you pick up the phone."
Six things to check before calling
George has shared six things pensioners should check or have ready before telephone claims open:
- Don’t call if your payment should arrive automatically – "Before calling, check whether your payment should arrive automatically. You do not normally need to claim if you receive the State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, awards from the War Pensions Scheme, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Benefit or Industrial Death Benefit."
- Keep your National Insurance number to hand – "Make sure you have your National Insurance number somewhere accessible before you make the call, alongside your full name, date of birth and current address."
- Your September address could affect your payment – "Your circumstances today aren't necessarily the only ones that matter. The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you receive is based partly on your circumstances during the qualifying week, which this year ran from 21 to 27 September 2026."
- Have the account details you want the money paid into – "It's sensible to have the details of the account you want the payment made into available before you call," says George. "This includes the name on the account, sort code and account number, as well as a building society roll or reference number where applicable."
- Hospital, care-home or prison stays could affect eligibility – "There are certain circumstances that can affect eligibility, so don't be surprised if you're asked questions about where you were living during September," advises the expert. "For example, long-term hospital stays, being in prison or certain care-home circumstances can affect whether someone qualifies."
- Earning over £35,000 could mean paying it back – George warns: "Another important rule pensioners need to be aware of is the £35,000 income threshold. People with total annual income above £35,000 can still receive Winter Fuel Payment, but HMRC will recover the full value of the payment through the tax system, usually via their tax code or Self Assessment if they already file a return."
Your partner's income does not count towards your own £35,000 threshold. So if your income is above this level, don't assume a £200 or £300 payment arriving in your bank account means that money is yours to keep permanently.
