Overview
- Most of the roughly 9 million eligible pensioner households should have received £100–£300 in November or December, but anyone still waiting is asked to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre from January 28.
- The helpline is 0800 731 0160 and postal claims can be sent to Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1LR, with first-time claims accepted until March 31.
- Eligibility generally covers those born on or before September 21, 1959, with the amount based on age and household circumstances during the September 15–21 qualifying week.
- Separate £25 Cold Weather Payments are being issued automatically for each seven-day freezing spell across up to 802 postcodes, can repeat to £50 or more, and appear on statements as “DWP CWP” or “SSA CWP” in Northern Ireland.
- If a Cold Weather Payment is expected but not received within about two weeks, people should contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus, or add a note to their Universal Credit journal.