This year is the first winter that the new Winter Fuel Payment system has been in place since the government pulled a u-turn on its widely unpopular previous new system based on Pension Credit.
Instead, the £200 to £300 payment is again given to all state pensioners, but those earning more than £35,000 are asked to give it back in tax.
Payments should be automatic, and should have been paid into the bank accounts of those eligible between November and the end of January.
But some state pensioners may not have received their payments, even though they are eligible to receive it and to keep it.
Those who are still missing their £200 to £300 must get in touch with the Winter Fuel Payment helpline by March 31, which is just two weeks away.
Charity Age UK says in its guidance: “Payments are automatic you do not need to do anything. If you have not received your Winter Fuel Payment by January 2026, you can make a claim before 31 March 2026. Contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160.”
The government’s own guidance says: “You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by: post; phone. The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2025 to 2026 is 31 March 2026.
Before you call, you will need to know:
your National Insurance number
your bank or building society details
the date you were married or entered into a civil partnership (if appropriate)
Payments cannot be made into a National Savings and Investments (NS&I) account unless you already get other benefits paid into the account.
You’ll also need to say whether during the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September 2025 you were:
in hospital getting free in-patient treatmentin a residential care home or Ilford Park Resettlement Homein prison
As these will affect your eligibility for the payment too.