The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has reminded pensioners of September deadlines to opt out of receiving this year's Winter Fuel Payment. Under new rules, eligible pensioners in England and Wales continue to receive the annual payment of £100, £200 or £300 automatically, but those with an annual taxable income above £35,000 will have the money recovered through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Opt-out deadlines and process
People who prefer not to receive the payment can opt out before the deadlines in September. The deadlines are September 18, 2026, for opting out by phone, and September 20, 2026, for opting out online. The DWP said opting out is "quick and easy" using the online service on GOV.UK or by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. Pensioners can also opt back in if their circumstances change.
In the latest Touchbase newsletter, the DWP said pensioners who pay tax through PAYE and have an income above £35,000 are already having their Winter Fuel Payments for 2025/26 recovered. From the 2027/28 tax year, HMRC will begin recovering Winter Fuel Payments during the same tax year they are paid for pensioners on PAYE. As a result, both the 2026 and 2027 Winter Fuel Payments will be collected during the 2027/28 tax year unless someone has opted out.
Who needs to take action?
Most pensioners do not need to do anything. If you are eligible and your annual taxable income is £35,000 or less, you will receive the payment automatically and keep the full amount. If your taxable income is more than £35,000, you have two options: receive the payment as normal and have it recovered through your tax bill, or opt out before the September deadline.
HMRC has published an online calculator to help pensioners check whether their total annual income is likely to exceed the £35,000 threshold.
Eligibility and payment amounts
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before June 27, 1960, and usually live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You will not be eligible if you usually live outside England and Wales, were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole week of 21 to 27 September 2026 and the year before, need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says you cannot claim public funds, or were in prison for the whole of that week.
The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between September 21 to 27, 2026, called the 'qualifying week'. If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible, you get £200 if born between September 28, 1946 and June 27, 1960, or £300 if born before September 28, 1946. If you live with someone else who is eligible and neither of you gets certain benefits, payments range from £100 to £200 depending on birth dates. If you and your partner jointly claim Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA, one of you gets £200 or £300. If you live in a care home and are eligible, you get £100 or £150.
Most payments will be made automatically in November or December. You should get a letter telling you how much you will get and which bank account it will be paid into. The DWP added: "If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 27 2027, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre."
The DWP also reminds pensioners that any money received will not affect other benefits, and warns that scammers may send texts prompting you to click on a link. Such messages are not official DWP communications and should be deleted.
