Similarly, older people in Scotland will receive automatic payments of up to \u00a3305.10 through the devolved Pension Age Winter Heating Payment<\/a> (PAWHP) on November 30. These payments will be issued by Social Security Scotland.<\/p>\n However, DWP is warning all pensioners to be on the lookout for texts about claiming this year\u2019s Winter Fuel Payment as it is a scam. This is also something consumer champion Martin Lewis <\/a>warned about shortly after the eligibility policy U-turn was announced last month.<\/p>\n READ MORE: \u00a3203 heating bill help for people in Scotland aged between 66 and 79 due before winter<\/a>READ MORE: DWP confirms Winter Fuel Payment dates and amounts due for every pensioner household<\/a><\/p>\n In a post on X, DWP posted: \u201cBeware: 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.\u201d<\/p>\n It also gave details on how to report suspicious texts at GOV.UK here.<\/a><\/p>\n These \u2018phishing scams\u2019 enable crooks to hook innocent victims by sending convincing looking fake messages purporting to be government agencies like the DWP.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The DWP message is clear – Winter Fuel Payments will be issued automatically, nobody needs to claim it.<\/p>\n Content cannot be displayed without consentEligibility for Winter Fuel Payments<\/p>\n You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959 and live in England or Wales.<\/p>\n When you will not be eligible<\/p>\n You will not be eligible if you:<\/p>\n If you live in a care home<\/p>\n 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:<\/p>\n Payments<\/p>\n DWP guidance explains: \u201cYou\u2019ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you\u2019ll get, if you\u2019re eligible.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you do not get a letter but think you\u2019re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s 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.<\/a><\/p>\n The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 15 to 21 September 2025. This is called the \u2018qualifying week\u2019. Any money you get will not affect your other benefits.<\/p>\n If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment<\/p>\n You will get either:<\/p>\n If you live with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment<\/p>\n Your payment may be different if you get one of the following benefits:<\/p>\n If you do not get any of the benefits<\/p>\n You will get a payment of:<\/p>\n If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits<\/p>\n One of you will get a payment of either:<\/p>\n The money will be paid into the bank account your benefits are usually paid into.<\/p>\n If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim)<\/p>\n You will get a payment of either:<\/p>\n If your income is more than \u00a335,000<\/p>\n HMRC will take back all of your Winter Fuel Payment through either PAYE or your Self Assessment tax return.<\/p>\n If you live in a care home<\/p>\n If you are eligible you\u2019ll get either:<\/p>\n When you will get paid<\/p>\n DWP said most payments will be made automatically in November or December.<\/p>\n You should get a letter telling you:<\/strong><\/p>\n DWP added: \u201cIf 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<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Opting out of Winter Fuel Payment<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Full details on what you will need before contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre can be found on GOV.UK here.<\/a><\/p>\n Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group<\/a> for money-saving tips, the latest State Pension and benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates.<\/p>\n Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday – sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also follow us on X<\/strong> (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_<\/a> for regular updates throughout the day or get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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