Millions of state pensioners are set to receive the Winter Fuel Payment this year but the state pension age change determines who will get this and how to opt out before tax recovery
State pensioners have until 6pm today to inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if they wish to opt out of receiving the Winter Fuel Payment.
Those born before 22 September, 1959, residing in England or Wales are eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, which ranges from £100 to £300. The amount awarded is determined by your birth date and circumstances during the qualifying week of September 15 to 21, 2025.
The DWP will send letters to all eligible state pensioners in October or November detailing the amount they will receive. However, those with an income exceeding £35,000 will have their payment reclaimed by HMRC.
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The Winter Fuel Payment is means-tested based on an individual’s income and will be granted to those earning less than £35,000, with approximately nine million pensioners in England and Wales set to receive it this year.
Pensioners earning above this threshold will also receive the payment, but it will then be automatically recouped in tax by HMRC via PAYE through a change in tax code, or in their Self Assessment tax return, reports the Express.
However, those who know their income will exceed the £35,000 per annum threshold can choose to opt out of receiving the payment entirely, thus avoiding the need for it to be recovered by HMRC later.
The deadline for pensioners wishing to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment is fast approaching, as they must inform the DWP by 6pm today, 15 September.
To do this you simply need to call the DWP’s Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 before 6pm, or you can also opt out by completing an online form on or before Monday, September 15, 2025. Once you have chosen to opt out you won’t receive any future Winter Fuel Payments unless you opt back in.
The DWP explains: “You can choose to opt out of getting all future Winter Fuel Payments. To opt out of getting Winter Fuel payments, you need to either:
- complete the opt out form on or before 15 September 2025
- call the helpline before 6pm on 15 September 2025
“You can opt in again by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. To get a payment for winter 2025 to 2026 you need to contact them before 31 March 2026.
“When you contact the payment centre, you’ll need to tell them your personal details like:
- your name
- your address
- your date of birth
- your National Insurance number.”
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