The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is cautioning pensioners to be alert to fraudulent text messages related to this year’s Winter Fuel Payments. Payments ranging from £100 to £300 are set to start appearing in bank accounts this month and will be automatically distributed.
In a communication on social media, DWP emphasized that any text messages referencing the ‘Winter Fuel Payment’ or ‘Winter Fuel Allowance’ are scams. Winter Fuel Payments are processed automatically, requiring no action from recipients.
The DWP has heightened its social media campaign to raise awareness about these scams in collaboration with Action Fraud. Criminals are increasingly using phishing scams to deceive individuals into providing personal and financial information by clicking on deceptive links that lead to fake websites masquerading as official government platforms handling Winter Fuel Payment applications.
Most Winter Fuel Payments will be automatically issued, with only a small number of pensioners needing to make a claim. The UK Government never solicits bank details via text messages. Individuals receiving texts urging them to apply for payments should refrain from engaging and report the message to 7726.
Older individuals in Scotland should take note that Winter Fuel Payments are no longer applicable, having been replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. The eligibility criteria for these payments are akin to those of the DWP, with payments being automatically disbursed by Social Security Scotland starting this month.
Eligible pensioners will have Winter Fuel Payments directly deposited into their bank accounts, with prior notification via letter on the payment amount. Payments are scheduled between mid-November and December 2025. The majority of eligible individuals will receive the payment automatically if they qualified during the specified week in September 2025.
Individuals with an annual taxable income below £35,000 are now eligible for Winter Fuel Payments. Those with incomes exceeding £35,000 will still receive the payment, but HM Revenue and Customs will recover it through taxation.
Payment details vary based on benefit receipt status, and the money will be deposited into the designated bank account. If payments are not received by January 28, 2026, individuals are advised to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre for assistance.
For further information on contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre and necessary requirements, visit the official GOV.UK website.