Last Updated on AUG 21, 2026

If you’ve noticed “DWP WFP” on your bank statement, it normally identifies a Winter Fuel Payment linked to the Department for Work and Pensions. The payment reference typically begins with the recipient’s National Insurance number followed by “DWP WFP”, making it easier to identify.

For winter 2026 to 2027, eligible people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can receive between £100 and £300, with most payments expected automatically in November or December 2026.

The payment itself is not taxable, although people with total individual income above £35,000 may have an equivalent amount recovered by HMRC through the Winter Fuel Payment Charge.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this guide:

What Does ‘DWP WFP’ Mean On Your Bank Statement?

What Does 'DWP WFP' Mean On Your Bank Statement

When you check your bank statement in late autumn or early winter, you may spot a transaction that reads something like: QQ123456C DWP WFP. This code is often unfamiliar, particularly for those who are new to receiving government benefits related to age or heating support.

To break it down simply, this is a Winter Fuel Payment issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and it appears with your National Insurance number followed by the DWP WFP label.

What The Payment Reference Code Looks Like?

The reference often follows a consistent pattern.

Here’s how it’s structured:

This is a helpful way to verify that the payment is legitimate. For example, if you see a reference like AB987654B DWP WFP and AB987654B matches your NI number, that confirms it’s your Winter Fuel Payment.

From personal experience, and having assisted many pensioners and older clients with checking their financial transactions, this specific code often causes confusion. I remember receiving calls asking if this was a new form of benefit or a scam, especially because of the obscure-looking transaction references.

Once you understand that DWP WFP simply means Winter Fuel Payment, it becomes easier to track and confirm.

Who Qualifies For The Winter Fuel Payment?

For winter 2026 to 2027, the eligibility dates have moved forward. A person can qualify for Winter Fuel Payment if they were born on or before 27 June 1960 and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The qualifying week for winter 2026 to 2027 is 21 to 27 September 2026.

The main eligibility conditions are:

Other Eligibility Considerations

There are additional specific scenarios where your eligibility might differ slightly:

When You Are Not Eligible

You will not be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment if:

How Much Is The DWP WFP Payment And When Is It Paid?

How Much Is The DWP WFP Payment And When Is It Paid

The actual amount of the Winter Fuel Payment varies depending on your age, household situation, and benefits status. In general, most payments fall between £100 and £300.

Eligible people should receive a letter in October or November 2026 explaining how much Winter Fuel Payment they will get. Most payments will then be made automatically in November or December 2026, usually into the same account used for the State Pension or other benefits.

Here’s how the payment is calculated:

Table: Winter Fuel Payment Amounts Based on Living Situation

Your SituationBorn 28 September 1946 To 27 June 1960Born Before 28 September 1946
Live Alone Or No One Else Is Eligible£200£300
Live With Another Eligible Person And Neither Gets A Relevant Means-Tested BenefitUsually £100Amount Depends On Other Eligible Person’s Age
Live In A Care Home And Qualify£100£150
Certain Joint Benefit ClaimsUp To £200Up To £300

The precise amount for couples can vary depending on both people’s ages and whether Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA is being claimed, so the existing simple £100/£150 couple table is no longer sufficiently accurate.

When Payment Is Made?

Most eligible people are paid automatically. You normally do not need to claim if you receive:

Most eligible people will receive their Winter Fuel Payment in November or December 2026. If a person does not receive a payment or a confirmation letter by 27 January 2027, they should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

These payments generally arrive between mid-November and late December, and if not received by 28 January 2026, it is advisable to contact the DWP.

How Do You Know The WFP Payment Is Yours?

How Do You Know The WFP Payment Is Yours

To confirm the payment is yours, look closely at your bank statement. The key is the National Insurance number at the beginning of the reference. If this matches your own, then the payment is legitimate and assigned to you.

For many pensioners, the payment will arrive in the same account where other benefits, like the State Pension, are paid.

If you’re unsure, cross-check the account details in the confirmation letter sent by the DWP during October or November.

From personal experience, I recall reviewing a relative’s bank transaction and seeing the code without any clear context. At first glance, it looked like a potential error or a mislabelled transaction.

But once we linked the National Insurance number and matched the timeline with the expected Winter Fuel Payment, everything became clear.

What Should You Do If You Haven’t Received Your WFP Payment?

If you were expecting a Winter Fuel Payment but haven’t seen it appear in your account, the first step is to confirm whether you received the confirmation letter.

This letter usually arrives in October or early November, informing you of:

If you do not receive a letter or the payment has not reached your account by 27 January 2027, GOV.UK advises contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

Contacting The DWP

Here are the details to get in touch:

Before calling, prepare the following:

If your case is more complex, you may need to request a mandatory reconsideration, which is a formal process for disputing DWP decisions.

How Can You Apply For The Winter Fuel Payment If You’re Not Paid Automatically?

How Can You Apply For The Winter Fuel Payment If You're Not Paid Automatically

Not everyone receives the Winter Fuel Payment automatically. If you do not get the State Pension or a qualifying benefit, you may need to submit a claim.

This often applies to:

You can apply:

Deadline To Apply

The 2025 to 2026 claim period has now closed. Claims for winter 2026 to 2027 will open on 21 September 2026. As of 21 August 2026, GOV.UK says the new claim form will be made available later.

Under the current Winter Fuel Payment regulations, claims can normally be made up to 31 March following the qualifying week, meaning 31 March 2027 for this winter’s payment.

When applying, you’ll need to provide your NI number, bank details, and relevant personal information, including your marital status and living situation during the qualifying week.

Can HMRC Reclaim Your Winter Fuel Payment?

Winter Fuel Payment is paid first to eligible pensioners, but an individual with total income above £35,000 may have the full value recovered by HMRC through the Winter Fuel Payment Charge. The £35,000 test applies to each individual separately rather than to combined household income.

The Winter Fuel Payment itself does not become taxable income. Instead, HMRC applies a separate Income Tax charge equal to the value of the winter payment that must be repaid.

Table: HMRC Reclaim Process for Higher Earners

Individual CircumstancesWhat Happens
Total Income £35,000 Or LessPayment is kept
Total Income Above £35,000Full Winter Fuel Payment is normally recovered
Above £35,000 And PAYE AppliesHMRC normally collects through tax-code adjustments
Above £35,000 And In Self AssessmentCharge is dealt with through Self Assessment
Receiving Certain Qualifying Means-Tested BenefitsWinter Fuel Payment Charge does not apply

If you are unsure whether this affects you, it’s worth speaking with HMRC or consulting a tax advisor.

People expecting their income to exceed £35,000 can choose to opt out of receiving Winter Fuel Payment. For winter 2026 to 2027, online opt-out options close at 11:59pm on 20 September 2026, while the telephone deadline is 6pm on 18 September 2026.

What Scams Should You Be Aware Of With WFP Payments?

Unfortunately, scams around government payments like the Winter Fuel Payment are on the rise. Fraudsters often send emails, texts, or even phone calls claiming to be from the DWP and requesting personal details to process or release your payment.

Here are some signs a message may be a scam:

The DWP has made it clear that they will never ask for your bank details over email or text. If you get a suspicious message, it’s best to report it to the National Cyber Security Centre or forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

In my own research and writing on social support schemes, I’ve seen how pensioners, in particular, are often targeted by these scams. Raising awareness is critical, especially during the winter period when such payments are being processed.

What Other Heating-Related Government Support Is Available In The UK?

What Other Heating-Related Government Support Is Available In The UK

While the Winter Fuel Payment is a well-known form of government support for heating costs, especially for older residents, it’s far from the only one.

With the ongoing challenges of rising energy prices, the UK government has introduced and maintained several additional schemes to assist those struggling with household energy bills, particularly during the colder months.

These schemes are not all age-based. Many are linked to income levels, benefits eligibility, or disability status, and can provide meaningful financial relief to individuals and families during winter.

As someone who has followed social support developments closely, I’ve found that understanding how these schemes work can often make the difference between staying warm and falling into debt during the heating season.

Let’s take a detailed look at the primary alternatives or complements to the Winter Fuel Payment.

Cold Weather Payment

The Cold Weather Payment is a benefit that activates automatically in areas experiencing severe winter conditions. This scheme is specifically designed to provide additional support to people on low incomes or those receiving certain benefits.

You may be eligible for Cold Weather Payments if you receive:

This payment is triggered when the temperature in your area drops to 0°C or below for seven consecutive days between 1 November and 31 March.

Each qualifying period of seven days results in a £25 payment, which is paid automatically into the same account as your benefits. No application is necessary if you meet the criteria.

For example, in certain parts of Scotland and Northern England where cold snaps are more frequent, eligible households may receive multiple Cold Weather Payments over the course of a single winter.

These payments can add up and significantly ease the burden of unexpected heating costs.

As a writer tracking benefit usage patterns, I’ve spoken to individuals who said these payments were the only reason they could afford to run their heating continuously during extreme cold spells. For many, especially those in poorly insulated homes, this support is essential.

Cold Weather Payment has been replaced in Scotland by Winter Heating Payment. The next Scottish Winter Heating Payment is £62 and, unlike Cold Weather Payment, does not depend on temperatures reaching a particular level for seven consecutive days.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

For winter 2026 to 2027, the Warm Home Discount continues to provide a £150 reduction on eligible households’ energy bills.

In England and Wales, the previous Core Group 1 and Core Group 2 structure has been replaced with a single core group.

To qualify, households generally need to be with a participating supplier, have an eligible person named on the electricity bill and receive a qualifying means-tested benefit.

For 2026 to 2027, qualifying benefits in England and Wales include:

Crisis And Resilience Fund

From 1 April 2026, the Household Support Fund in England was replaced by the new Crisis and Resilience Fund.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund is administered by local authorities and is designed to support lower-income households facing financial emergencies while also funding longer-term financial resilience measures.

Depending on the council and individual circumstances, crisis support can help with costs such as:

The programme is funded for the period from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, although the exact help available and eligibility rules are decided locally.

Other Local and Regional Support

In addition to national schemes, there are local grants and programmes available across the UK.

These may include:

These vary by region and are often tied to larger government initiatives, such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme or local fuel poverty reduction plans.

Residents are encouraged to contact their local council, Citizens Advice, or Age UK to learn about region-specific support.

Conclusion

Seeing “DWP WFP” on a bank statement normally means that a Winter Fuel Payment has been deposited, with the reference typically beginning with the recipient’s National Insurance number followed by “DWP WFP”.

For winter 2026 to 2027, eligible people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can receive between £100 and £300, with most payments expected automatically in November or December 2026.

Eligibility is based on being born on or before 27 June 1960 and meeting the rules during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026.

One important point for 2026 is the £35,000 individual income threshold. Eligible people can still receive the payment, but HMRC may recover its full value through the Winter Fuel Payment Charge if their total income exceeds the threshold, unless one of the specified benefit exemptions applies.

Anyone who does not receive their expected payment or letter by 27 January 2027 should contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre directly. People in Scotland should instead check Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, which has replaced Winter Fuel Payment there.

Frequently Asked Questions about DWP WFP

How do I know if I’m eligible for WFP?

If you were born before 22 September 1959 and live in England or Wales, you’re likely eligible.

Why is DWP WFP showing on my bank account in December?

This is the usual time when Winter Fuel Payments are disbursed. Check for your NI number in the reference.

What should I do if the payment is missing?

Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre and provide your personal details. If eligible, they can reissue the payment.

Is the Winter Fuel Payment taxable?

Generally, no. But if your income is over £35,000, it may be reclaimed via your tax code or Self Assessment.

Will my benefits be affected by WFP?

No. The Winter Fuel Payment is non-means-tested and won’t impact your other benefits.

What’s the difference between WFP and Cold Weather Payment?

WFP is an annual grant based on age; Cold Weather Payment is triggered by specific temperature conditions.

Can people living abroad claim the Winter Fuel Payment?

Only if they’ve lived in the UK previously and meet eligibility rules. Scotland is excluded, but some residents may get alternative support.