Winter Fuel Payment deadline 'in days' for certain groups of pensioners

Pensioners must make a crucial decision before the start of next week if they wish to opt-out of receiving this year's Winter Fuel Payment.

For those earning more than £35,000 annually, opting out could be beneficial as any Winter Fuel Payment - which can be up to £300 - will be reclaimed by the UK Government through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) advises that to opt out, you need to either fill in the online form by Monday, September 15, or ring the helpline on 08007310160 before 6pm on the same day.

When getting in touch with the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, you'll need to provide personal details such as your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number.

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The DWP has confirmed that nine million individuals born before September 22, 1959 will receive between £100 and £300 to help offset the cost of increased heating bills during the chillier months.

Winter Fuel Payments will be automatically issued to eligible pensioners in England and Wales during November or December.

The Scottish Government will also distribute payments ranging from £101.70 to £305.10 to approximately 800,000 pensioners from November, following the revised policy being implemented by the DWP, reports the Daily Record.

Scottish pensioners earning £35,000 or less will qualify for the one-off payment, with recipients able to opt-out or repay it via the PAYE system or Self Assessment tax return. Both payments cover the qualifying period from Monday, September 15 to Sunday, September 21, 2025.

Winter Fuel Payment eligibility criteria

You're entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959 and reside in England or Wales.

Circumstances where you won't qualify

You won't qualify if you:

• live outside England and Wales (full Scotland details here)
• were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of September 15 to 21, 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 September 15 to 21, 2025

Residing in a care home

You can receive Winter Fuel Payment whilst living in a care home, but you won't qualify if both conditions below are met:

• you receive 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 June 23, 2025 or earlier

Payment details

DWP guidance states: "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 crucial to know that fraudsters might attempt to deceive you into claiming via text, encouraging you to click a link. This isn't a genuine DWP message and should be binned. If you believe you need to claim, follow the official guidance on GOV.UK here.

Your payment amount depends on your birth date and circumstances during September 15 to 21, 2025. This period is known as the 'qualifying week'.

Any funds received won't impact your other benefits. If you're living alone or with someone who isn't eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, you'll receive either:

• £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
• £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945

However, if you live with another person who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, your payment may vary if you're receiving any of the following benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support

READ MORE: DWP sending key letter to millions on State Pension next month

If you don't receive any of these benefits, you'll 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

In cases where you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will receive 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 deposited into the bank account where your benefits are usually paid.

If you're receiving any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim), you'll receive 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

For those whose income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will reclaim all of your Winter Fuel Payment through either PAYE or your Self Assessment tax return.

If you reside in a care home and are eligible, you'll receive either:

• £100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
• £150 if you were born before September 22, 1945

As for when you'll get paid, the DWP has stated that most payments will be automatically made in November or December.

You should receive a letter informing you:

• how much you’ll receive
• which bank account it will be paid into, although this is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits

The DWP further 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."

If you wish to opt out of receiving Winter Fuel payments

You need to:

• complete the opt out form on or before September 15, 2025
• call the helpline before 6pm on September 15, 2025

Full details on what you will need before contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre can be found on GOV.UK here.