The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that the majority of the approximately 9 million pensioner households eligible for the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment should have received a one-off sum ranging from £100 to £300 during November or December 2025. This financial assistance is intended to help pensioners manage their energy bills during the colder months.
In a recent update, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) clarified important information for pensioners whose annual income exceeds the £35,000 threshold. According to HMRC, individuals who received the Winter Fuel Payment during the 2025 tax year do not need to report this amount on their tax return for the 2024 to 2025 period. Instead, any payments received in Autumn 2025 will be reconciled in the following tax return, which is due by 31 January 2027.
Should a pensioner’s income exceed the £35,000 limit, HMRC will reclaim the Winter Fuel Payment through Self Assessment or by adjusting their PAYE code. To determine if repayment is necessary before the tax deadline, individuals can use the online verification tool available on the GOV.UK website.
Eligibility and Payment Details
Payments continue to be distributed, with the DWP encouraging pensioners who believe they may be eligible to claim the Winter Fuel Payment to contact them before the end of March 2026. The amount awarded varies based on several factors, including age, living situation, and residency in the UK during the qualifying week, which ran from September 15 to 21, 2025.
Pensioners born before 22 September 1959 with an annual income of £35,000 or less are eligible for these payments. Specifically, those residing in care homes may receive £101.70, while individuals aged between 66 and 79 could be entitled to £203.40. For those aged 80 and above, the payment could reach £305.10.
This Winter Fuel Payment initiative is part of the UK government’s broader strategy to support vulnerable households during the winter months, helping them manage the financial burden of heating their homes in increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.
