Diploma in Professional Accounting
Diploma for Financial Advisers
Member of London Institute of Banking and Finance

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If you’re a UK pensioner, you might automatically receive the Winter Fuel Payment to help with your heating bills. This payment can be between £100 and £300. However, there are times when you might need to opt out of receiving it or even pay it back.

Opting Out of the Payment

Some pensioners may choose to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment. This could be because their income is above a certain threshold, or they simply don’t need the payment. If you wish to opt out of future payments, you need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. The deadline to opt out for the upcoming winter (2025 to 2026) is 14 September 2025 if you complete the online form, or 12 September 2025 if you call the helpline before 6pm [1].

To opt out, you can either:

•Complete the online opt-out form on GOV.UK.

•Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre helpline.

If you change your mind and want to receive the payment again in the future, you can opt back in by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre before 31 March 2026 for the 2025 to 2026 winter period [1]. When contacting them, you’ll need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and National Insurance number.

Paying Back the Payment

In some situations, you might be asked to pay back the Winter Fuel Payment. This usually happens if:

•You didn’t report a change in your circumstances straight away.

•You provided incorrect information.

•You were overpaid by mistake [1].

For example, if your income is over £35,000, HMRC might take the payment back [2]. If you need to repay money, you can find information on how to do this on the GOV.UK website, specifically under the section about repaying money owed from benefit overpayment [1].

For any queries regarding the Winter Fuel Payment, including opting out or reporting changes, you can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I stop my Winter Fuel Payment? A: Yes, you can opt out of future payments by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre online or by phone before the September deadline for the upcoming winter.

Q: What is the deadline to opt out for winter 2025-2026? A: The deadline is 14 September 2025 if you use the online form, or 12 September 2025 if you call the helpline.

Q: Do I have to pay back the Winter Fuel Payment if my income is high? A: In some cases, yes. If your income is over a certain threshold, such as £35,000, HMRC may require you to repay the payment.

Q: What happens if I was paid the Winter Fuel Payment by mistake? A: If you were overpaid by mistake or received the payment in error, you will be required to pay it back. The Winter Fuel Payment Centre will provide instructions on how to do this.

References

[1] GOV.UK. Winter Fuel Payment: Report a change or opt out. https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/report-change-circumstances [2] GOV.UK. Winter Fuel Payment: Overview. https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment