The Department for Work and Pensions has issued an urgent warning about scammers targeting pensioners with fraudulent messages about Winter Fuel Payments. The DWP said: "Beware! Scammers could be trying to steal from you by sending messages about the Winter Fuel Payment and opting out."
Winter Fuel Payments are worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for households with someone aged over 80. They are paid in November and December to pensioners born before September 22, 1959.
Major policy reversal
Nine million people who missed out on Winter Fuel Payments last winter will receive them this time, according to the Express. This represents a significant policy restoration affecting millions of pensioners across England and Wales.
People earning over £35,000 will still receive the payment but must pay it back through the tax system. The income eligibility is calculated per person, meaning couples are assessed individually for their share of the payment.
Opt-out deadline approaches
Pensioners wanting to refuse the payment must opt out by September 15, 2025. This can only be done through the official GOV.UK website or by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre directly.
The DWP specifically warned people not to click any links in suspicious messages. All legitimate information about opting out is available on the official government website.
Automatic payments for benefit recipients
Recipients of certain benefits during the qualifying week of September 15 to 21, 2025, will receive their payment automatically. These include State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, and Personal Independence Payment.
Those not receiving benefits may need to claim if they have never received a Winter Fuel Payment before. Applications can be made by post from September 15 or by phone from October 15.
Economic confidence impact
Consumer confidence among pensioners has crashed from minus five to minus 63, making them the most pessimistic demographic, according to the Daily Star. This dramatic decline reflects broader financial pressures facing older households.
Expert Paul Lewis warns that the frozen £35,000 threshold will capture more pensioners over time, as reported by the Express. Scotland has replaced the Winter Fuel Payment with a new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment system.
Sources used: "Mirror", "Daily Star", "Express" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
