Pensioners in England and Wales born by 1959 who haven’t received their Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300 must claim by 6pm on March 31
Thousands of pensioners across England and Wales are being urged to verify whether they have received their Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300 – with the deadline to do so by 6pm tonight, March 31. The payment is for people born on or before 22 September 1959 and lived in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week of 15 to 21 September 2025.
It should be used for the purposes of heating their home during the cold months and is paid automatically. However, some people may not have received the money, and they need to check today. If you have not received your Winter Fuel Payment by January 2026, you can make a claim before the end of March 31 2026. Contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160. The line closes at 6pm.
The payment will typically appear in your bank account marked with a reference that begins with your National Insurance number followed by “DWP WFP”.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), anyone who did not receive a letter or payment by January 28 should act immediately, as some will need to make a claim to avoid missing out. Most pensioners receive the payment automatically if they already get benefits such as the State Pension or Pension Credit.
However, two key groups must apply manually:
- Those who have never received a Winter Fuel Payment before
- Those who have deferred their State Pension
If you fall into either category and do not claim before 6pm March 31, you will not receive the payment. A spokesperson for Assistance for Seniors stated: “The rules have changed multiple times, so it’s easy to lose track. If you think you qualify and haven’t received anything, don’t wait – the deadline is March 31 and there is no extension.”
How much you could get
The amount depends on your age and circumstances:
- Up to £300 for those born before September 28, 1946
- Up to £200 for those born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960
Payments may vary if you live with another eligible person.
For those whose income exceeds £35,000, HMRC may reclaim the payment through the tax system. Winter Fuel Payments, known in Scotland as Pension Age Winter Heating Payments, are annual cash grants designed to assist with winter energy bills. For the latest payment, eligibility applies to people born before 22 September 1959 in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and before 21 September 1959 in Scotland.
The payment itself varies from £100 to £300 depending on age and household circumstances. HMRC cannot confirm final income until the tax year concludes. Because payments need to be issued before winter, the system operates by paying everyone of qualifying age first and then contacting those who turn out to be above the income threshold later.
In most instances, the money will be reclaimed automatically through the tax system. HMRC will adjust the person’s tax code in the 2026 to 2027 tax year. The repayment appears as an underpayment, meaning slightly higher tax deductions will be taken each month.
There is no interest charged on the sum being repaid. For instance, someone who received £200 could see their monthly income reduced by approximately £17 while the repayment is collected.
People who complete a Self Assessment tax return will instead see the repayment added to their tax bill for the 2025 to 2026 tax year. Anyone who believes the calculation is incorrect can challenge the decision with HMRC.
From 1 April 2026, households can opt out of the 2026 to 2027 payment by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre or completing a form online. You will need your National Insurance number to do this.
Once you opt out, you will not receive future payments unless you choose to opt back in. The principal reason to opt out if you expect your income to remain above the threshold is that from the 2027 to 2028 tax year, HMRC plans to recover payments in advance rather than in arrears, meaning deductions could be roughly double.
For a typical £200 payment, this could mean around £33 a month being taken through the tax system instead of about £17. The deductions are expected to return to the lower monthly amount in the following tax year.
