Overview

• Around nine million people born before 22 September 1959 will receive £100–£300, with DWP letters arriving in October and November and most payments made in November or December into the usual benefits account.
• Postal claims open on 15 September and phone claims from mid-October for first-time recipients or those who deferred their State Pension, with a claims deadline of 31 March 2026.
• Those over the £35,000 taxable income threshold will have the full Winter Fuel Payment reclaimed later through PAYE or Self Assessment unless they opt out in advance.
• To decline this winter’s payment, people must submit the online opt-out by 14 September or call the helpline by 6pm on 12 September, as DWP and HMRC warn of rising scams and report 4,600 fake websites taken down.
• Eligibility is set by circumstances during the 15–21 September qualifying week for residents of England and Wales, with specified exclusions, while Scotland will automatically pay its separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from November.