Overview
- HMRC confirmed on Wednesday that it has begun reclaiming Winter Fuel Payments for 2025/26 and will recover payments received in 2026/27 and 2027/28 by altering recipients’ tax codes until the amounts are repaid.
- For a typical £200 Winter Fuel Payment, HMRC says affected pensioners will face roughly £17 extra per month in 2026/27 and about £33 extra per month in 2027/28 as PAYE deductions.
- The recovery applies only to pensioner households with total annual income above £35,000 who did not opt out of the payment.
- Those who file Self Assessment online will find the 2025/26 Winter Fuel Payment pre‑populated and must submit returns by January 31, 2027, while paper filers must add the payment by October 31, 2026; some tax-code changes may create ‘K’ codes that reduce personal allowance.
- HMRC will collect repayments centrally across the UK and has warned of scams, giving guidance to report suspicious texts to 60599 and emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, and reminding pensioners the opt‑out form must be submitted by 11.59pm on September 20, 2026 or by phone before 6pm on September 18, 2026.