State pensioners have been warned to check their bank accounts on January 29, 2025. The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) is urging state pensioners to check for the Winter Fuel Payment, worth £200 or £300, by the end of the month.
From November, eligible households have received automatic payments of up to £300 and payments have continued to be made throughout December. Those who are eligible should have either received a letter, or should get one in the coming month, telling them how much they will be paid.
It will also explain which bank account the payment will be paid into – this is usually the same account as where Pension Credit or other benefits are usually paid. The DWP has advised all those eligible for the cash to expect it to enter their bank accounts by January 29 at the latest.
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If the payment does not come through, pensioners are urged to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre online or by telephone. When you contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre you will need to provide your name, address, date of birth and NI number.
The payment will appear as the customer’s National Insurance (NI) number followed by “DWP WFP”. Whereas those in Northern Ireland should look for their NI number followed by “DFC WFP”. If you live in England and your NI number is QQ123456B the payment would show up as QQ123456B DWP WFP. You should check for this code before consulting DWP.
To be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment this year, you must have been born before September 23, 1958, reside in Scotland, England or Wales, and receive one of the following benefits: Income Support or Working Tax or Child Tax Credits or Pension Credit or Universal Credit or Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).