Urgent 48-Hour Deadline for Missing £300 DWP Winter Fuel Payments
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an urgent alert to households across the UK who are missing Winter Fuel Payments of up to £300. With a critical deadline of January 28, 2026, fast approaching, affected individuals have just 48 hours to take action and secure the financial support they are entitled to.
Whilst the majority of eligible recipients automatically received their payments between November and December 2025, some households may have been overlooked. If you believe you qualify but have not seen the funds arrive in your account, it is imperative to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre immediately.
Understanding the Two Key Deadlines
It is crucial to distinguish between two separate deadlines to ensure you take the correct steps:
- January 28, 2026: This cut-off applies specifically to individuals who were expecting the Winter Fuel Payment but have not received it. If you fall into this category, you must get in touch with the DWP-run centre before this date.
- March 31, 2026: A separate deadline exists for those who need to lodge a claim for the first time, such as individuals receiving the Winter Fuel Payment for the initial occasion.
Who Qualifies for the Winter Fuel Payment?
Eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment is generally based on age and residency. Typically, individuals born before September 22, 1959, who reside in England or Wales qualify for the support. The exact amount you receive depends on your personal circumstances during the 'qualifying week' between September 15 and 21, 2025.
The payment amount can vary, particularly if you are claiming other benefits like Pension Credit, Income Support, or similar entitlements. However, as a general guide:
- If you live alone or nobody else in your household qualifies, you could be entitled to:
- £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959.
- £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945.
- For joint claims with a partner for benefits such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit:
- £200 if both partners were born between September 22, 1945, and September 21, 1959.
- £300 if one or both partners were born before September 22, 1945.
Government advice confirms that the payment will not affect any other benefits you receive.
How to Claim Your Missing Payment
If you need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, you can do so by telephone or post. Before making contact, ensure you have your National Insurance number, banking information, and, where relevant, the date of your marriage or civil partnership to hand.
For those required to make a claim, this typically includes individuals who have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before or have deferred their State Pension since their last payment. You can claim by filling out a form and posting it to: Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR. Alternatively, you may ring the centre on 0800 731 0160.
Eligibility can also be influenced by other benefits you receive, such as:
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Awards from the War Pensions Scheme
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Industrial Death Benefit
- State Pension
With the January 28 deadline looming, households are urged to act swiftly to secure their missing Winter Fuel Payments and ensure they receive the vital financial support intended to help with heating costs during the colder months.
