Beware of scammers when applying for the Winter Fuel Payment

If you’re eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment – which you can apply for from 18 September – don't give your bank details to callers wanting you to confirm your bank details prior to payment.

The Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off tax-free payment made each year to those born on or before 25 September 1957, to help with heating costs over the colder winter months.

Most payments are made automatically in November or December, and recipients will get a letter telling you how much you’ll get, and which bank account it will be paid into - this is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits.

Unfortunately, people being tricked into handing over their bank details, believing they were applying for the Winter Fuel Payment, is a just one of several scams at this time of year.

Scams are one of the most common types of fraud. They can come in many forms - such as an unexpected phone call, knock on the door, email or social media message - but all are designed to trick you into parting with your money.

Phone scammers will call you unsolicited, pretending to be from an organisation you trust, such as your bank or the police.

These scam calls may be automated, or from a real person. They may ask you for your personal information like banking details, or tell you that you need to transfer money.

Never give out your personal or financial information to anyone you're suspicious of.

Former Rochdale mayor and councillor, Ian Duckworth, believes he received one such phone call recently.

He explained: “There was a long delay before the caller spoke, which is always a suspicious sign.

“He had an English accent and knew my name, but he ‘just wanted to confirm my details for my Winter Fuel Payment’.

“I hung up because I was pretty sure it was a scam.”

Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, advises:

• Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
• Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
• Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.
• Report: Suspicious emails can be reported by forwarding them to: report@phishing.gov.uk. You can also report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726 (it’s free of charge).

You can report suspicious phone calls to Action Fraud here.

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How to claim the Winter Fuel Payment

If you’ve received the Winter Fuel Payment before, you should get it automatically this year. If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 26 January 2024, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

You should also be paid automatically if you claim State Pension or another social security benefit (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Child Benefit, Universal Credit or a deferred State Pension).

The exact amount depends on your age and whether other people in your household also qualify. The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 18 to 24 September 2023. This is called the ‘qualifying week’.

You’ll usually get a smaller payment if you live in a care home or nursing home, but you’re not eligible if you live in a care home or nursing home and claim either Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

If you don't receive these benefits – or you live abroad – and you're eligible for Winter Fuel Payment, you might need to make a claim directly to receive your payment; you'll need your National Insurance number and your bank or building society details.

You can apply to claim the Winter Fuel Payment by telephone from 4 October 2023 on 0800 731 0160.

Alternatively, you can claim via post from 18 September 2023: fill in a Winter Fuel Payment claim form for UK residents and send it to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR.