Up to 154,000 urged to check Winter Fuel Payment as telephone claims open on 19 October

Up to 154,000 older people across England and Wales are warned need to check whether they must actively claim this year’s Winter Fuel Payment, ahead of telephone applications opening on Monday 19th October.

The estimate represents people potentially deferring their State Pension – one of the main groups who may need to claim rather than receive the payment automatically.

This year’s Winter Fuel Payment is worth between £100 and £300, with most eligible pensioners receiving it automatically. Those who do need to claim can already do so by post, while telephone claims open on 19 October and the final deadline is 31 March 2027.

George Penny, Home Energy Expert at The Solar Co, comments:

“With telephone claims opening on Monday 19th October, anyone who may need to actively claim this year’s Winter Fuel Payment should use the next few days to check their eligibility and get the right information together.

“Our analysis suggests up to 154,000 older people across England and Wales could currently be deferring their State Pension, making them one of the key groups who may need to claim rather than receive the payment automatically.

“Not all of these people will need to call, as some will receive another qualifying benefit that triggers automatic payment. However, if you don’t receive State Pension or another qualifying benefit, and you’ve either never received Winter Fuel Payment before or deferred your State Pension since your last payment, it’s worth checking whether you need to make a claim.”

George outlines six things pensioners should check or have ready before telephone claims open:

1. Don’t call if your payment should arrive automatically

“Before calling, check whether your payment should arrive automatically.

“You do not normally need to claim if you receive the State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, awards from the War Pensions Scheme, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Benefit or Industrial Death Benefit.

“If you don’t receive any of those, you may need to make a claim if you’ve never received Winter Fuel Payment before, or if you’ve deferred your State Pension since your last payment. Checking this first could save you an unnecessary phone call.”

2. Keep your National Insurance number to hand

“Make sure you have your National Insurance number somewhere accessible before you make the call, alongside your full name, date of birth and current address.

“These are key details used to identify you and your record, so having them ready beforehand can help make the application process more straightforward.”

3. Your September address could affect your payment

“Your circumstances today aren’t necessarily the only ones that matter. The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you receive is based partly on your circumstances during the qualifying week, which this year ran from 21 to 27 September 2026.

“If you’ve recently moved house, make sure you can explain where you were living during that week and who you were living with, as this can affect the amount you receive.”

4. Have the account details you want the money paid into

“It’s sensible to have the details of the account you want the payment made into available before you call. This includes the name on the account, sort code and account number, as well as a building society roll or reference number where applicable.

“Most people receiving the payment automatically will normally have it paid into the same account as their State Pension or other benefits, but people making a new claim should be prepared to provide the relevant account information.”

5. Hospital, care-home or prison stays could affect eligibility

“There are certain circumstances that can affect eligibility, so don’t be surprised if you’re asked questions about where you were living during September.

“For example, long-term hospital stays, being in prison or certain care-home circumstances can affect whether someone qualifies. If any of these apply to you, have the relevant dates and details available before calling.”

6. Earning over £35,000 could mean paying it back

“Another important rule pensioners need to be aware of is the £35,000 income threshold.

“People with total annual income above £35,000 can still receive Winter Fuel Payment, but HMRC will recover the full value of the payment through the tax system, usually via their tax code or Self Assessment if they already file a return. Your partner’s income does not count towards your own £35,000 threshold.

“So if your income is above this level, don’t assume a £200 or £300 payment arriving in your bank account means that money is yours to keep permanently.”

George adds:

“Eligible pensioners should also keep an eye on their post over the coming weeks. Letters are being sent during October and November confirming how much people will receive, and most automatic payments will then be made during November or December.

“If you’re expecting a payment, read any correspondence carefully rather than assuming it’s junk mail, and be particularly wary of unsolicited calls, emails or text messages asking for passwords or bank details. Fraudsters can use genuine government payment dates to make scams appear more convincing.

“For anyone who does need to claim, telephone applications opening on 19 October provide another route to access the support, but getting your details together now means you’re prepared before you pick up the phone.”

Methodology

The Solar Co estimates that up to 154,000 people across England and Wales could currently be deferring their State Pension.

• DWP data shows 41,938 people claimed a previously deferred State Pension in 2023/24.
• The average period of State Pension deferral was approximately four years.
• Multiplying the number of people ending a deferral in one year by the average four-year duration gives an indicative Great Britain deferral population of 167,752.
• Because Scotland and Northern Ireland operate separate winter heating support schemes, the estimate was narrowed to England and Wales, which account for approximately 92% of State Pension-age DWP claimants.
• Applying this proportion gives an indicative England and Wales estimate of approximately 154,000 people.
• This is an upper-bound estimate of the population who may need to check whether an active Winter Fuel Payment claim is required – some State Pension deferrers will receive another qualifying benefit that means their Winter Fuel Payment is paid automatically.

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