Overview

• HMRC recorded a 153% week‑on‑week rise in scam text referrals in the final week of September as criminals impersonated officials handling Winter Fuel Payment applications.
• DWP says texts asking people to apply are fraudulent, urging recipients to forward messages to 7726 and delete them, with HMRC phishing reports accepted via GOV.UK and [email protected].
• Most payments will arrive automatically, with letters sent in October or November and funds paid from mid‑November to December 2025, and the department will never request bank details by text.
• Around nine million pensioners in England and Wales are due £100–£300 depending on age, with a £35,000 income threshold meaning HMRC will recover the payment via tax code or Self Assessment for higher earners.
• Only some people need to claim by phone or post, such as first‑time recipients or those who deferred State Pension, with phone lines open since 13 October and a claims deadline of 31 March 2026.