The qualifying period, which began on Monday, September 15, will determine whether people over State Pension age are eligible
State pensioners have 48 hours to act or risk losing £300 each to DWP
State pensioners have until Sunday, September 21 to secure their Winter Fuel Payment. The qualifying period, which began on Monday, September 15, will determine whether people over State Pension age are eligible to receive £200 or £300 payments.
Eligible pensioners in England and Wales will receive a one-off payment of £100, £200 or £300, based on the same factors. From next month, letters will be dispatched to all pensioners, with payments scheduled to be issued throughout November and December.
You are eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 22 September, 1959 and live in England or Wales.
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You will not be eligible if you live outside England and Wales or were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year before that or need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds or were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025.
You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home, however, you will not be eligible if both of the following apply: you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and you lived in a care home for the whole time from 23 June 2025 or earlier.
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.
You will get either £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959 or £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945.
The money will be paid into the bank account your benefits are usually paid into.
If your income is more than £35,000 then HMRC will take back all of your Winter Fuel Payment through either PAYE or your Self Assessment tax return.
The DWP added: “If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.”