Pensioners born before September 1959 affected
State pensioners born before 1959 told to check bank account by 6pm on Tuesday
State pensioners are being urged to check their bank accounts by 6pm on Tuesday over the Winter Fuel Payment. State pensioners are being handed £300, £200 or £100 Winter Fuel Allowances from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
But retirees are being urged to check they have received their payments – with the code DWP WFP – by 6pm tonight, March 31. Typically, the perk is handed out automatically from the DWP.
The Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 to 2026 will be made to everyone in England and Wales born before 22 September 1959, unless you choose not to get it. Money Saving Expert, the site founded by BBC and ITV star Martin Lewis, said: “One of the benefits of the new system is all State Pensioner households will be paid it automatically.
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“For the vast majority, there is no need to apply to claim it. Yet sadly scam texts and on social media, and likely email too, have already started to spring up with links or phone numbers trying to get people to claim. If you see one of these it is a scam. Do not reply.”
MSE added: “Payments are usually made automatically in November or December (if you need to call the helpline to claim, it will be paid later than this).”
To make a claim, complete the Winter Fuel Payment claim form and post to Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton with postcode WV98 1LR.
Alternatively you can claim by phone until 31 March by calling the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
For those who would like to opt out from receiving the Winter Fuel Payment, DWP will develop a simple system to enable individuals to do so, removing the need for HMRC to recover the payment.
Labour Party Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Targeting Winter Fuel Payments was a tough decision, but the right decision because of the inheritance we had been left by the previous government.
“It is also right that we continue to means-test this payment so that it is targeted and fair, rather than restoring eligibility to everyone including the wealthiest.
“But we have now acted to expand the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment so no pensioner on a lower income will miss out. This will mean over three quarters of pensioners receiving the payment in England and Wales later this winter.”