Pensioners who want to opt out of receiving the winter fuel payment will need to do so before 15 September 2025.
In June 2025, the government announced that, for winter 2025/26 onwards, winter fuel payments will be made to all pensioners in England and Wales. Pensioners in Northern Ireland are eligible for a winter fuel payment from the Northern Ireland Executive. In Scotland, pensioners may be eligible for the pension age winter heating payment.
Recovery through the tax system
The payments to be made in winter 2025/26 will be recovered in full by HMRC from pensioners with total income of more than £35,000.
Where the person’s total income is over £35,000, HMRC will recover the payment automatically. This will be done through the person’s pay as you earn (PAYE) tax code for 2026/27 unless they are in self assessment (SA), in which case HMRC will add it to their SA tax return for 2025/26.
Opting out of receiving the payment
Pensioners can opt out of receiving the payment. Pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can complete an online opt out form here https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
It is also possible to opt out by calling or writing to HMRC. This must be done before 15 September 2025. The Scottish Government says that more information on opting out of the winter heating payment will be published in autumn 2025.
For more information contact Helen Morgan who is based in our Taunton office.
