Pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who do not want to receive the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2025/26 must opt out by midnight on Monday 15 September 2025, according to Which?1. The payment is being made automatically to pensioners over state pension age this year, after the condition of receiving a means-tested benefit was removed2.
The qualifying week for winter 2025/26 runs from 15 to 21 September 2025, and entitlement depends on circumstances in that week1. For winter 2025/26, eligibility means being born before 22 September 1959 and living in England, Wales or Northern Ireland2. In Scotland the payment is called the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, and for the time being the eligibility criteria remain the same as in England, Wales and Northern Ireland2. In Northern Ireland, the Executive has confirmed the Winter Fuel Payment will be reinstated for winter 2025-26 using the same £35,000 income threshold as in England and Wales1.
Anyone whose taxable income is more than £35,000 will have the payment taken back automatically by HMRC, for the majority through PAYE or through a Self Assessment tax return2. Which? reports that HMRC will take back approximately £17 every month from April 2026 to March 2027 through the tax code of someone with an income of £40,000 who receives the £200 payment and does not do self-assessment1. In the 2027-28 tax year the monthly deduction rises to around £33, as collection covers both 2026 and 2027, returning to £17 a month for 2028-291.
The amounts for winter 2025/26 are set out below.
| Circumstance | Amount |
|---|---|
| Living alone, aged 66 to 79 | £2002 |
| Living alone, aged 80 or over | £3002 |
| Living with someone else who qualifies, both aged 66 to 79 | £100 each2 |
| Living with someone else who qualifies, both aged 80 or over | £150 each2 |
| Living with someone else who qualifies, one aged 80 or over | £200 for the person aged 80 or over, £100 for the other2 |
| Joint claim for Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA, both aged 66 to 79 | £2002 |
| Joint claim for Pension Credit, Universal Credit or income-related ESA, one or both aged 80 or over | £3002 |
Which? reports that all pensioners over the age of 66 in England and Wales will automatically get the up to £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year1. It also reports the payment as £200 if you do not live with anyone else who qualifies, or £300 if you are 80 or older and do not live with anyone else who qualifies1. The two sources describe the household amounts differently, and the table above follows the breakdown by date of birth given by Entitledto2.
"You will need to opt out by midnight on Monday, 15 September. If you miss the deadline, you will automatically be included in the payment-and-payback cycle."
Opting out can be done online, by phone on 0800 731 0160, or by post to the Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR1. Pensioners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland use the same form and contact details1. Scottish pensioners will also be able to opt out of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, with further details on the process expected from the Scottish government in the autumn1. Those who opt out can opt back in by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 31 March 2026, though the money must be repaid if income exceeds £35,000, even by £11. Entitledto gives 31 March 2026 as the deadline to claim if an application is needed2.
Why it matters for households
The deadline decides whether the money arrives at all. Miss it, and the payment is made automatically and recovered through the tax system for anyone with taxable income above £35,0001. Taxable income for this purpose includes earnings from employment or self-employment, private pensions, the state pension and non-ISA savings interest, but not ISA income, capital gains, the Winter Fuel Payment itself, or Pension Credit and other tax-free state benefits1.
Which? reports that more than 100,000 pensioners could lose the Winter Fuel Payment over the next year as rising incomes push more people over the £35,000 cap, and that analysis from consultants LCP suggests around half a million pensioners are expected to lose the payment over the next four years3. Pensions minister Torsten Bell has said the government intends to keep the £35,000 limit at its current level for now, in line with other frozen tax thresholds3. LCP highlighted a pensioner with an annual income of £33,600 who will receive the payment this year, but a typical 4.7% increase in the state pension under the triple lock combined with an estimated 4% rise in their private pension would push their total income to around £35,027 next year, just over the cut-off3.
Most payments are made automatically in November or December, into the bank account benefits are usually paid into2. A letter should arrive in October or November setting out how much to expect1. Official payment dates have not been confirmed by the government1. People living abroad must claim by post or by phone even if they received the payment last year1.
What happens next
The qualifying week runs from 15 to 21 September 20251. Letters setting out the amount are expected in October or November, with payments normally made in November and December1. Anyone who needs to apply has until 31 March 20262, and anyone who opted out can ask to be opted back in before the same date1. Recovery through tax codes runs from April 2026 to March 2027 for this year's payment1. Further details on opting out of the Scottish payment are expected from the Scottish government in the autumn1.
More detail on who qualifies and the income threshold is in the guide to the Winter Fuel Payment, and the Scottish arrangements are covered in Pension Age, Child and Winter Heating Payments in Scotland. Other benefits for older people include Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit.
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