Payments of up to £300 will be issued automatically over November and December.
Pensioners are being warned to look out for Winter Fuel Payment text message scams following a surge in activity from opportunistic criminals ahead of next month’s payments. New data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMC) shows reports of scam texts more than doubled in the last week of September when compared to the previous week.
These scams – which see fraudsters exploit pensioners by posing as government officials processing Winter Fuel Payment applications – had begun to drop off after a peak in June but are now increasing again ahead of payments being made next month.
This warning comes as the DWP ramps up its social media campaign in partnership with Action Fraud to raise awareness of these scams across Facebook and Twitter. This is alongside DWP’s continued work with trusted partners and charities such as Independent Age to ensure accurate and timely information is available.
READ MORE: Full list of pensioner heating payments due next month by age and household typeREAD MORE: Two groups of pensioners can claim Winter Fuel Payments of up to £300 this week
Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, and the UK Government will never ask for bank details by text. Anyone who receives a text message inviting them to apply for a payment should not engage with it and instead forward it to 7726.
It’s important for older people in Scotland to be aware that they will not receive a Winter Fuel Payment as this has now been replaced by Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. This follows similar eligibility criteria to DWP, but will be issued automatically by Social Security Scotland from November.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “If you get a text message about Winter Fuel Payments, it’s a scam. They will be made automatically so you do not need to apply.
“These despicable attempts by criminals to target people are on the rise. We are raising awareness to make it harder for fraudsters to succeed.
“If you receive a suspicious message about Winter Fuel Payments, don’t engage – forward it to 7726 and delete it immediately.”
Independent Age Chief Executive Joanna Elson CBE said: “Scammers are shamefully exploiting the Winter Fuel Payment to target older people living on low incomes. This entitlement is a vital lifeline that helps protect those facing financial hardship during the colder months.
“Our helpline has received calls from older people who have been sent these fraudulent messages. Many of them are already anxious about being able to afford to heat their homes this winter, and these scam texts may wrongly lead them to believe they must take action to receive their payment.
“The key message is clear: you do not need to do anything to receive your Winter Fuel Payment. If you are eligible, it will be paid automatically.”
Jonathan Silvester, HMRC’s Digital Defence Lead, said: “Scammers target individuals by attempting to take your money or access your personal information. I’m urging you to stay alert to their pressure tactics.
“Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you relating to Winter Fuel Payments, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard. If a phone call, text or email is suspicious or unexpected, don’t give out private information or reply, and don’t download attachments or click on links. You can report any suspicious HMRC-related activity on GOV.UK, just search ‘report an HMRC scam’.”
Winter Fuel Payments will automatically be paid into people’s bank accounts with eligible pensioners receiving a letter in October or November saying how much they will receive. Payments will be made between mid-November and December 2025
It’s important for older people in Scotland to be aware that they will not receive a Winter Fuel Payment as this has now been replaced by Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. This follows similar eligibility criteria to DWP, but will be issued automatically by Social Security Scotland from November.
Payments of up to £300 will be issued automatically over November and December. (Image: Getty Images )Check if you need to claim
DWP said most people will get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they are eligible during qualifying week, which took place between September 15 – 21, 2025.
You do not need to claim if you get any of the following:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Income Support
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit
If you do not get any of these, you need to claim if either of the following apply:
- you’ve not had the Winter Fuel Payment before
- you’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment
How to claim
You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by:
The deadline to make a claim for winter 2025 to 2026 is March 31, 2026.
Full details on how to claim by post or over the phone can be found on GOV.UK here.
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 (people in Scotland will receive the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment)
- 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. The opt-out window for pensioners in England and Wales closed on September 15.
The opt-out window for Scots pensioners closed on October 10 – full details on MYGOV.SCOT.
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.”
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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