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Opting out of Winter Fuel Payments

Those born before 22^nd September 1959 and living in England and Wales are due to qualify for a winter fuel payment of between £100 and £300 in the winter of 2025/26. There are a few exceptions, mainly centred around extended hospital or prison stays or for those living in care homes who also receive certain benefits.

There is one other important exception; those with income in excess of £35,000  in the 2025/26 tax year will also not qualify for the benefit. That income calculation is based on self-assessment tax returns or equivalent and includes employment income and pensions, as well as investment income such as dividends or interest. Because the assessment of total income will not be known until the end of the 2025/26 tax year, the benefit will be calculated and paid and then clawed back either as part of the tax return calculation or by adjusting an individual’s tax code the following year.

Those who know they will not be eligible for the benefit and don’t want to go through the receipt/claw-back paper trail have the ability to opt out of receiving the benefit. The deadline for opting out is by either calling a helpline by 6pm on 12^th September or by completing an online opt out form by the end of 14^th September 2025.

Full details of how to opt out can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel...