DWP 'you need to claim': Two pensioner groups that must apply for £300 Winter Fuel Payment

DWP 'you need to claim': Two pensioner groups that must apply for £300 Winter Fuel Payment Claims for the 2026 to 2026 Winter Fuel Payment go live today and while most people will receive it automatically there are some who must apply Autumn officially starts on Wednesday, and temperatures have already started to fall, leaving some people wrapping up and adding layers to keep warm and even putting the heating back on. However, rising bills mean it can be daunting for those on a limited income. From October 1, the energy price cap will rise to £1,723 a year for the average household. However, this will depend on individual use so the actual bill can be much higher if people need to keep their heating on or have other additional needs that push up the amount of energy they need to use. The government's Winter Fuel Payment aims to help cover the cost of some of this, with up to £300 available to the majority of pensioners, and around nine million people qualifying for the benefit. However, while most will get this money automatically, there are two groups who must claim. The government has now opened claims for the 2026/27 benefits. This is who will get the money paid into their accounts and who needs to claim. Everyone that automatically gets the benefit The majority of people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they’re eligible. However, those who have an annual income of more than £35,000 do not qualify for the benefit and while it will be automatically paid, they will have to repay the money unless they opt out before receiving it. You do not need to claim if you get any of the following: - State Pension - Pension Credit - Universal Credit - Attendance Allowance - Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - Carer’s Allowance - Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - awards from the War Pensions Scheme - Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit - Incapacity Benefit - Industrial Death Benefit Who must claim Winter Fuel Payment There are two groups of people who will not be automatically paid the money. According to the DWP if you do not get any of these, you need to claim if either of the following apply: - you’ve not got the Winter Fuel Payment before - you’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment How to claim Claims for winter 2026 to 2027 are now open. You can claim the Winter Fuel Payment by: - post - from 21 September 2026 - phone - from 19 October 2026 The deadline for you to make a claim for winter 2026 to 2027 is 31 March 2027. Claim by post Fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form and send it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. Winter Fuel Payment CentreMail Handling Site AWolverhamptonWV98 1LR