Winter fuel payments

Guidance published by the relevant authorities (see below) explains who is eligible to receive a payment, how it will be calculated and when it will be paid.

The payments, to be made in winter 2025, will be recovered in full by HMRC from pensioners with income of more than £35,000.

Where the person’s income is over £35,000, HMRC will recover the payment automatically. This will be done through the person’s PAYE tax code for 2026/27, unless they are in self assessment, in which case HMRC will add it to their tax return for 2025/26. If the person completes a paper SA tax return, they will need to include the payment on their return.

There is an online tool that can be used to check if a person’s total income is over the threshold of £35,000. Once all of the questions have been answered, the tool indicates if the payment will be recovered and if so, how HMRC will recover it.

Pensioners can opt out of receiving the payment. Pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can complete an online opt out form. It is also possible to opt out by calling or writing to HMRC. This must be done before 15 September 2025.

More information can be found at Winter Fuel Payments.