Winter Fuel Payments will be issued automatically to around nine million people in England and Wales over November and December. At least 880,000 Scots pensioners will receive up to \u00a3305 through a similar, but separate payment from next month – find out more about Pension Age Winter Heating Payment here.<\/a><\/p>\n It’s important to be aware only pensioners born before September 22, 1959 will receive these payments, either from the DWP or Social Security Scotland. Letters<\/a> will be issued this month with the details of hoe much money households can expect to receive.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Full list of pensioner heating payments due next month by age and household type<\/a>READ MORE: Pensioners with health conditions could be due up to \u00a31,423 every month next year<\/a><\/p>\n UK Government online<\/a> guidance outlines two specific groups of people who may need to claim Winter Fuel Payment, but it\u2019s important to be aware this can only be done by post or over the phone.<\/p>\n Scam warning<\/p>\n If you receive a text or an email telling you to claim by clicking on a link or calling a number, it is a scam – DWP has already issued warnings on social media about these fake messages<\/a>, urging pensioners to report them.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important for older people in Scotland to be aware that they will not receive a Winter Fuel Payment as this has now been replaced by Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.<\/a> This follows similar eligibility criteria to DWP, but will be issued automatically by Social Security Scotland from November.<\/p>\n Check if you need to claim<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n You do not need to claim if you get any of the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you do not get any of these, you need to claim if either of the following apply:<\/strong><\/p>\n How to claim<\/p>\n You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by:<\/p>\n The deadline to make a claim for winter 2025 to 2026 is March 31, 2026.<\/p>\n Full details on how to claim by post or over the phone can be found on GOV.UK here.<\/a><\/p>\n Eligibility 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. The opt-out window for pensioners in England and Wales closed on September 15.<\/p>\n The opt-out window for Scots pensioners closed on October 10 – full details on MYGOV.SCOT.<\/a><\/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 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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