Date set for when £300 DWP Winter Fuel Payment will arrive in accounts

The one-off payment will be made in November or December for those who are eligible – but some may need to make a claim to receive it. Here how the system works

The Department for Work and Pensions has released further details about this year’s Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners. This grant, which can be up to £300, is designed to assist the elderly with their heating costs. The DWP has announced that pensioners wishing to claim this year’s payment can do so by post from September 15 and over the phone from October 15.

The Government stresses that Winter Fuel Payments will be automatically distributed to approximately nine million individuals in England and Wales, though some may need to apply. Pensioners born before 22 September 1959 will receive between £100 and £300 during November and December, but they will be notified by letter beforehand detailing exactly how much they will get.

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The GOV.UK website specifies two particular groups of people who may need to claim the money, but it’s crucial to note that this can only be done by post or over the phone.

It’s important to be aware that if you receive a text or an email instructing you to claim by clicking on a link or dialling a number, it’s a scam.

The DWP has already issued warnings via social media about these fraudulent messages, urging pensioners to report them, reports the Daily Record.

Check if you need to make a claim

The DWP states that most people will automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment if they are eligible during the qualifying week, which is 15 – 21 September 2025. You don’t need to claim if you receive 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

You’ll need to put in a claim if any of the following conditions apply:

• you’ve not had the Winter Fuel Payment before
• you’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment

If your taxable income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will claw back your Winter Fuel Payment via the tax system. If you’d rather not receive it, you can choose to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment.

Eligible individuals will receive a letter around October or November detailing the amount they’re due to get. The majority of those eligible should expect payment in November or December 2025.

How to claim

Here’s how you can claim your Winter Fuel Payment:

• post – from September 15, 2025
• phone – from October 13, 2025

The cut-off date for winter 2025 to 2026 claims is March 31, 2026. Comprehensive instructions on how to claim by post or phone are available on GOV.UK.