The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has opened applications for this year's Winter Fuel Payment for those who will not receive the money automatically. Postal and telephone claims for the 2026/27 payment will remain open until March 31, 2027.
The majority of eligible pensioners will not need to make a claim and should receive their payment automatically. Nevertheless, the DWP is encouraging people to check the eligibility criteria to ensure they do not miss out.
Who is eligible for Winter Fuel Payment
Winter Fuel Payments are worth between £100 and £300 and are available to eligible individuals who were born on or before June 27, 1960 and ordinarily reside in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. It is worth noting that pensioners in Scotland now receive the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment rather than a Winter Fuel Payment.
The amount of Winter Fuel Payment an individual receives is dependent on their age and personal circumstances during the qualifying week, which ran from September 21 to 27. The new DWP application form also confirms that those who need to apply must have reached State Pension age before or during the qualifying week, reports the Daily Record.
Who does not need to claim Winter Fuel Payment
According to the latest guidance on GOV.UK, people do not need to make a claim if they are eligible and receive any of the following: State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, PIP, Disability Living Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Attendance Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, awards from the War Pensions Scheme, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Benefit, or Industrial Death Benefit.
These groups should receive the Winter Fuel Payment automatically provided they satisfy the eligibility requirements.
Who needs to make a claim
Those who do not receive any of the benefits or payments outlined above may need to submit an application. The DWP states that a claim is necessary if someone does not receive any of those payments and either has never previously received a Winter Fuel Payment or has deferred their State Pension since their last Winter Fuel Payment.
The official application form words it slightly differently, clarifying that the majority of eligible individuals will receive the payment automatically, and that the form should only be filled in if the DWP has specifically requested this, or if the applicant receives no DWP benefit or pension but has reached State Pension age and wishes to claim Winter Fuel Payment.
The form requires details such as the applicant's National Insurance number, date of birth, address and bank or building society details. Applicants must also supply at least one telephone number. The deadline to submit a claim is March 31, 2027.
