HMRC issues important Winter Fuel Payment update for pensioners

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently announced that the majority of the 9 million pensioner households entitled to the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment ought to have been issued the one-off sum of £100, £200 or £300 during November or December.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has provided an important update for pensioners whose income exceeds the £35,000 threshold and who were recipients of either payment.

According to HMRC: "Customers do not need to include their 2025 Winter Fuel Payment on their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 tax year as payments received in Autumn 2025 will be recovered in the 2025 to 2026 tax return, due by 31 January 2027."

Should your income surpass £35,000, HMRC will reclaim your Winter Fuel Payment. This recoupment will occur either via Self Assessment or through an adjustment to your PAYE code.

Those uncertain whether they'll be required to repay it before 31 January 2027 can utilise the online HMRC verification tool available on GOV.UK., reports the Daily Record.

Payments continue to be distributed and any pensioners who believe they need to submit a claim for the payment have until the close of March to reach out to the DWP for Winter Fuel Payment claims.

Pension Age Winter Heating Payments Pensioners in England and Wales are set to receive between £100 and £300 through Winter Fuel Payments, which the DWP is expected to distribute before March ends.

The amount received depends on factors such as age, living situation, and UK residency during the qualifying week, which was from 15th to 21st September 2025.

To be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, people must have been born before 22nd September 1959 and have an annual income of £35,000 or less.

Pensioners residing in care homes could receive £101.70, while those aged between 66 and 79 could get £203.40.

Those aged 80 or above could be entitled to £305.10.