Qualifying rules for the winter support payments have been changed for this year
Not all pensioners will qualify this year.
New Winter Fuel Payment rules have been confirmed by the Government this year.
The support is worth up to £300 and usually enters bank accounts in November, providing a boost in the run-up to Christmas.
Previously, the winter allowance went to all pensioners – but then was restricted last year to only the very poorest.
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New qualifying rules are in place last year following criticism of how the scheme was run in 2024.
Now around nine million pensioners will get the payments, designed to help with higher winter energy bills, but not everyone will qualify.
Money will be paid to those with incomes below £35,000.
Everyone with an income above that level will not qualify.
However, under a complicated system money will initially be paid to all pensioners.
It will then be claimed back automatically by HMRC from those with higher incomes who don’t qualify.
The changes mean around 75% of seniors will get to keep the cash this winter.
Those who don’t qualify – on incomes over £35,000 – are being given the chance to opt out of the payment system, as they won’t benefit anyway.
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It will save the process of having money taken back by HMRC at a later date.
Anyone who wants to do this must do so by September 15.
Katherine Ford, ICAEW technical manager, tax, said: “Pensioners have until Monday, September 15 2025 to contact HMRC to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payments if their total income for tax purposes is more than £35,000.
“HMRC have a useful online tool to check if income is over this amount.
“If a person with income over £35,000 receives the payment, it will be recovered automatically through their pay as you earn tax code for 2026/2027, unless they are in self-assessment, in which case it will be added by HMRC to their tax return for 2025/2026.“