Anyone who needs to apply for the payments should fill in a form
Payments will be made in November and December(Image: Getty)
Eligible pensioners are set to receive up to £300 this winter as the government issues Winter Fuel Payments to nine million people across England and Wales.
Most pensioners will automatically be given the financial help to keep their homes warm over the winter. However, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that certain people will need to claim the payments manually.
The government department has released a form for anyone who wants to claim the payment but needs to apply for it themselves.
Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here
To be eligible for the payments you must be born on or before September 21, 1959. The Winter Fuel Payment you get is based on your circumstances in the qualifying week of September 15 to September 21.
Most people will receive the payment automatically – you only need to fill in the form if the follow apply:
you have been asked to by the DPWyou do not get any DWP benefits or a DWP pension but you have reached State Pension age and want to claim the Winter Fuel Payment
You can also claim a Winter Fuel payment by phone from October 13.
A total of nine million pensioners in England and Wales will receive the Winter Fuel Payment from the DWP this winter after a government U-turn was announced on June 11.
The change means eligible pensioners – who have an income of or below £35,000 – will get either £200 or £300 this winter.
Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE
Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible. You do not need to apply for the payment if you get any of the following:
State PensionPension CreditUniversal CreditAttendance AllowancePersonal Independence Payment (PIP)Carer’s AllowanceDisability Living Allowance (DLA)Income Supportincome-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)awards from the War Pensions SchemeIndustrial Injuries Disablement BenefitIncapacity BenefitIndustrial Death Benefit
If your income is over £35,000, HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back. HMRC will take your Winter Fuel Payment back by either:
changing your tax code for the 2026 to 2027 tax yearadding the amount to your 2025 to 2026 Self Assessment tax return
You can check if your income is over the threshold and how HMRC will take it back on the gov.uk website here. The form to claim the Winter Fuel Payment can be found on the government website here.