Older people across England and Wales are being urged to check their eligibility for a crucial annual benefit designed to help with heating bills, as a key deadline fast approaches. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the final date to make a claim for the Winter Fuel Payment for the 2025/26 period is March 31, 2026.
Who is Eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment?
Eligibility for the tax-free Winter Fuel Payment is primarily based on your date of birth and where you live. To qualify, you must have been born on or before September 22, 1959. You must also have been living in England or Wales during the 'qualifying week', which for this payment was September 15 to 21, 2025.
The amount you receive is not uniform; it depends on your specific circumstances during that qualifying week. For instance, if you live alone or with others who are not eligible, you could get:
- £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959.
- £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945.
Different amounts apply for couples who jointly claim certain benefits like Pension Credit or Income Support. The Government states that the payment will not affect any other benefits you receive.
Do You Need to Make a Claim?
While many eligible individuals receive the payment automatically into their bank accounts in November or December, some people must take action. You will likely need to proactively claim if:
- You have never received a Winter Fuel Payment before.
- You have deferred your State Pension since your last payment.
- You were not receiving a qualifying benefit during the September 2025 qualifying week.
Qualifying benefits that trigger automatic payment include State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, and Attendance Allowance, among others listed in official guidance.
If you were expecting an automatic payment but it did not arrive, you should have contacted the Winter Fuel Payment Centre by January 28, 2026. This is a separate deadline from the claim deadline of March 31.
How to Apply Before the Deadline
To claim, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre by post or phone. You should have your National Insurance number, bank details, and, if relevant, your marriage or civil partnership date to hand.
You can send a completed claim form to: Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR. Alternatively, you can call the centre on 0800 731 0160.
For those who cannot speak or hear on the phone, contact can be made via Relay UK by dialling 18001 followed by the 0800 number. All claimants are advised to check the latest information on the official GOV.UK website.
Most eligible people should have received a letter in October or November 2025 confirming their payment. If you believe you qualify but did not get a letter, it is essential to investigate and potentially submit a claim before the March cut-off to ensure you receive this vital financial support.
