Exact date pensioners need to opt out of Winter Fuel Payment to avoid HMRC clawback
Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will issue Winter Fuel Payments of between £100 and £300 to an estimated nine million pensioners in England and Wales over November and December. People over 66 in Scotland will receive up to £305 through the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment on November 30.
Payments of both benefits will be issued automatically. However, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell has confirmed around two million people over State Pension age currently have an annual income above the £35,000 eligibility threshold and can either pay the money back through PAYE or a self Assessment tax return.
They can also opt out of receiving the payment. He explained there is no need to take any 'immediate action' but if anyone wants to opt out they must do so before September 15, 2025.
The DWP Minister's comments came after Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst asked the Treasury about the number of pensioners 'who will need to pay back the Winter Fuel Payment through tax system, in each financial year between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2029'.
In a written response on Tuesday, Mr Bell said: 'From this winter 2025-26 Winter Fuel Payment eligibility will be expanded in England and Wales. Pensioners with incomes below or equal to £35,000 will benefit from Winter Fuel Payments.
'About nine million individuals will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment this winter. Winter Fuel Payments will be paid automatically meaning any pensioner receiving a State Pension or DWP benefit or who has previously received a Winter Fuel Payment will not need to make a claim.
'There are about two million individuals with an income above £35,000. Those who receive a Winter Fuel Payment will have the full amount of their Winter Fuel Payment recovered via HMRC. Pensioners do not need to take any immediate action, and those that wish to opt out of receiving the winter fuel payment can do so.'
Full details on what you will need before contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre can be found on GOV.UK here.
Eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959 and live in England or Wales.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
live outside England and Wales
were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year before that
need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025
If you live in a care home
You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home, however, you will not be eligible if both of the following apply:
you get Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
you lived in a care home for the whole time from 23 June 2025 or earlier
Payments
DWP guidance explains: 'You'll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you'll get, if you're eligible.
'If you do not get a letter but think you're eligible, check if you need to make a claim.'
It's important to be aware that scammers may try and trick you into making a claim by text, prompting you to click on a link. This is not an official DWP message and should be deleted. If you think you need to claim, follow the guidance on GOV.UK here.
The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 15 to 21 September 2025. This is called the 'qualifying week'. Any money you get will not affect your other benefits.
If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
You will get either:
£200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
£300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
If you live with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment
Your payment may be different if you get one of the following benefits:
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
If you do not get any of the benefits
You will get a payment of:
£100 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
£100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959 but the person you live with was born before September 22, 1945
£200 if you were born before September 22, 1945 but the person you live with was born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
£150 if you and the person you live with were born before September 22, 1945
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits
One of you will get a payment of either:
£200 if both of you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
£300 if one or both of you were born before September 22, 1945
The money will be paid into the bank account your benefits are usually paid into.
If you get any of the benefits (not as part of a joint claim)
You will get a payment of either:
£200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
£300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
If you live in a care home
If you are eligible you'll get either:
£100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
£150 if you were born before September 22, 1945
When you will get paid
DWP said most payments will be made automatically in November or December.
You should get a letter telling you:
how much you'll get
which bank account it will be paid into - this is usually the same account as your State Pension or other benefits
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DWP added: 'If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.'
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