After the Chancellor u-turned on winter fuel payments for the 2025-26 winter period after intense pressure, some complicated new rules came into place which mean only pensioners with less than £35,000 in total taxable income will qualify for the benefit in future, and there are crucial opt out provisions.
The final deadline for pensioners to tell HMRC they do not want the payment is Monday 15 September. If the threshold of £35,000 is exceeded by just £1 the whole amount of will be clawed back by HMRC.
Pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can opt out by filling in an online form or by writing to or calling HMRC by the deadline.
The default position is that any age qualified individual will receive the winter fuel payment.
However, anyone with an income over £35,000 will be subject to a tax claw back. Given this will be a complex process, and just £1 of income above the £35,000 limit is enough to trigger a clawback, those in favour of a simple life can opt out of winter fuel payment before the deadline.
Anyone who is pension age or has family members receiving the state pension should check urgently whether they want to opt out to ensure they do not receive a surprise tax bill next summer. They can opt out online easily or phone the winter fuel payment centre.
Watch out for scammers
It is also critical to watch out for scammers who are targeting people of all ages saying they can sort the payments. They are very persistent and operating totally illegally as the payments are universal within the threshold. In June alone, HMRC had to remove a shocking 4,600 fake websites linked to winter fuel payments.
Useful links
Government/HMRC form, Opt out of winter fuel payment
Winter Fuel Payment contact details Tel: 0800 731 0160 (select option 2)