New Winter Fuel Payment rules could see pensioners repaying the benefit back to HMRC next year
10:56, 30 Oct 2025Updated 10:57, 30 Oct 2025
Pensioners earning too much to qualify for Winter Fuel Payments might still get the benefit initially(Image: GETTY)
Winter Fuel Payments will start being sent out in November and December, providing pensioners with a once-off £200 or £300 payment depending on their circumstances. However, pensioners who don’t qualify for the payment under the new eligibility rules could still get the money too.
As part of the new process, everyone over state pension age should receive the payment but those who have an income over £35,000 will have it taken back by HMRC over the course of the next tax year.
This will be done by changing their tax code, making pensioners pay slightly more tax each month to make up for the benefit overpayment.
Official government guidance notes: “You will need to wait for HMRC to take back the payment, you cannot pay it sooner.
“HMRC will automatically collect the payment by changing your tax code for the 2026 to 2027 tax year. For a typical payment of £200, the deduction will be approximately £17 per month.”
The new eligibility rules for Winter Fuel Payments require pensioners to have an income of less than £35,000. If your annual income is over £35,000, HMRC will need to take back the payment. More information on Winter Fuel Payment eligibility can be found here.
The Gov.uk website has a checker tool that will allow people to see if their income is over the threshold and how HMRC could take it back from them based on their circumstances.
Pensioners are able to opt out of Winter Fuel Payments, but the deadline to do this for the 2025/2026 winter season has already passed.
From April 1, 2026, pensioners will be able to opt out of getting the Winter Fuel Payment for 2026 to 2027 onwards. If you opt out and later decide you want to opt in again, you can do so by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
For those that have already opted out but want back in on the scheme, they will need to contact the centre before March 31, 2026 to get the payment for the 2025/2026 winter season.
Alongside the income requirement, pensioners do have some other eligibility criteria they need to meet in order to qualify for the seasonal benefit.
They must have been born before September 22, 1959 and live in England or Wale. People who need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds will not be eligible.