DWP Winter Fuel Payment warning as pensioners targeted

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is alerting all pensioners to watch out for text messages about 'opting out' of this year's Winter Fuel Payments. The sole method for those above State Pension age to turn down payments of up to £300 is by calling the helpline before 6pm on September 15, or filling in the online form before September 15.

In a social media post, DWP stated: "Beware! Scammers could be trying to steal from you by sending messages about the Winter Fuel Payment and opting out. Don't click or tap any links - check the facts about opting out before the 15 Sep 2025 deadline on the http://GOV.UK website."

These 'phishing scams' allow fraudsters to ensnare unsuspecting victims by dispatching realistic-looking bogus messages claiming to be from government bodies like the DWP. However, they are merely a trick to entice people into clicking a link which could direct them to a fraudulent website - which might look entirely legitimate - and input their personal and banking details, unwittingly handing criminals access to confidential information, reports the Daily Record.

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The DWP's message is clear - most Winter Fuel Payments will be distributed automatically, with only a handful of pensioners needing to submit a claim. Guidelines on GOV.UK verify there are two particular categories of people who might need to apply for this year's Winter Fuel Payment, but it's crucial to understand this can solely be completed by post or telephone. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently confirmed that the qualifying period for the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment will be the week of 15-21 September (next week).

One-off payments ranging from £100 to £300 will be automatically issued to approximately nine million people in England and Wales over November and December.

Check if you need to claim

The DWP stated that most people will receive the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they are eligible during the qualifying week of 15 - 21 September, 2025.

You do not 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

If you do not receive 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:

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

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 receive a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 22 September, 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
• 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 receive 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

The DWP has issued guidance stating: "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 be vigilant as fraudsters may attempt to deceive you into making a claim via text, urging you to click on a link. This is not an official DWP message and should be disregarded. If you believe you need to claim, follow the instructions on GOV.UK here.

The amount you receive depends on your birth date and circumstances between 15 to 21 September 2025, known as the 'qualifying week'. Any money received will not impact your other benefits.

If you live alone or no one you live with qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment

You will receive either:

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

Your payment may vary if you receive 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 don't receive any of the benefits, you will receive 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 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 receive any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim), you will 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

If your 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

If you're 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

Details of when you will be paid

The DWP has stated that most payments will be automatically made in November or December.

You should receive a letter in October or November informing 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.”

Choosing to opt out of Winter Fuel Payment

You have the option to opt out of receiving all future Winter Fuel Payments. To opt out, you need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 15 September 2025.

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