HMRC is preparing to contact millions of retirees regarding the repayment of their Winter Fuel Payment. The Winter Fuel Payment, which can amount to £300, is distributed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to individuals over the state pension age.
Those earning above £35,000 annually will have their payment reclaimed by HMRC. The repayment process will involve adjusting tax codes for the 2026/27 tax year, spreading out repayments throughout that period via the PAYE system. If you are a self-assessment taxpayer, the repayment will be reflected in your 2025/26 tax return.
Around two million state pensioners are expected to return their Winter Fuel Payment for the winter of 2025/26, with notifications starting in April. HMRC will notify those whose tax codes are changing digitally if they have opted out of receiving paper letters.
An HMRC spokesperson mentioned that most individuals required to repay the Winter Fuel Payment will have it done automatically through their tax code or self-assessment tax return. Guidance on repayment procedures and a repayment calculator have been provided online for clarity.
Winter Fuel Payments are issued to individuals born before September 22, 1959, who claimed specific benefits during the qualifying week of September 15 to 21, 2025. If you did not claim the mentioned benefits, you should apply for the Winter Fuel Payment if eligible by March 31, 2026.
To inquire or claim, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre at 0800 731 0160 or send a letter to the provided address. Certain eligibility criteria exist, such as not being in hospital or prison during the qualifying week or residing in a care home while claiming specific benefits.
In Scotland, the Winter Fuel Payment has been substituted with the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, valued between £101.70 and £305.10.