HMRC to contact 1.3m pensioners about Winter Fuel Payment – How to tell a genuine message from a scam

1.3 million pensioners who received the Winter Fuel Payment last winter will be sent a message from HMRC this month about repaying the money. Pensioners who received the payment in 2025, but whose annual income exceeded £35,000 for the 2025/26 tax year will receive a text, email or letter from HMRC. This message will explain how the payment is to be clawed back, as only those earning under £35,000 are eligible to keep the money.

While this message will only provide a simple explanation of how the system now works, HMRC communications are a common target for scammers seeking to steal personal financial information. We explain why you may have to repay the Winter Fuel Payment, how to do so, and how to ensure your communication with HMRC is genuine.

How will HMRC contact you if you need to repay the Winter Fuel Payment?

Pensioners with an annual income above the £35,000 limit who received the Winter Fuel Payment in late 2025 will get a letter, text, or email from HMRC this month. This message will explain that your tax code will change for the 2026/27 tax year and the payment will be recouped through deductions from your private pension payments at the same time income tax is deducted.

The one exception is people who are registered for self-assessment, as the deduction will instead be automatically included on their 2025/26 tax return.

How to tell if your message from HMRC is a scam

The most important thing to remember is that pensioners who are required to pay back their Winter Fuel Payment do not actually need to do anything. Any communication about the Winter Fuel Payment from anyone claiming to be HMRC that demands a payment to be made directly, or requires any of your details, will be fake. Anything that includes a link for you to click on will also not actually be from HMRC.

The genuine message will simply explain what is going to happen, with no further action required from the recipient.

If you are unsure, you can forward suspicious texts to 60599, suspicious emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, or go to GOV.UK to report a suspicious phone call.

What is the Winter Fuel Payment?

The Winter Fuel Payment was first introduced in 1997 to help those over State Pension age with the cost of winter energy bills. The system was maintained as a universal payment for pensioners by successive governments until 2024.

In the winter of 2024, the new Labour government made the Winter Fuel Payment available only to those aged over 66 who claimed Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits. After significant public and political backlash, the current rules were introduced for 2025. Now, everyone over the State Pension age is once again paid the Winter Fuel Payment, but pensioners earning more than £35,000 have to pay it back.

The exact amount paid out has changed over the years, now standing at £200 for those under 80 and £300 for those over 80. The payments are made automatically with no need to apply, though you can opt out.

What are the Winter Fuel Payment rules?

Everyone in England and Wales who is over the State Pension age (currently 66) is initially paid £200 per household, or £300 if someone in that household is over 80. In most cases, the payment will be made directly to household members in equal proportions, so a couple over 80 would be paid £150 each. The exception is that a couple claiming Pension Credit would receive the full amount in a single lump sum. If one member of a couple is over 80 and the other is under 80, but over 66, the older person gets £200 and the younger £100.

The money is then recouped from those recipients earning more than £35,000 per year. For most earners over the threshold, this will be done automatically through the tax system via the pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) system. Any pensioners earning over the threshold who already file a self-assessment tax return will see the payment recovered through that. If one member of a household earns over the threshold, only their portion will be reclaimed through the tax system.

Pensioners can opt out of receiving the payment if they do not want it, or if they do not want to be paid only to have it recouped later. You can opt out by completing a form on GOV.UK or calling the helpline on 0800 731 0160. You can opt in again by filling out this enquiry form, calling 0800 731 0160 or writing to Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR. To receive the payment for the 2026/27 winter, you will need to opt back in by 31st March 2027.

How to get help with your energy bills

If you are struggling with your energy bills, the best way to get help is to ensure you are receiving all the financial assistance you are eligible for. While the Winter Fuel Payment is made automatically, many benefits require you to apply, including pension credit. Age UK estimates that more than 800,000 eligible people are not claiming pension credit. This means that they will be surviving on less than £227.10 a week for a single pensioner and less than £346.60 for a couple, but not getting the pension credit they are eligible for.

Checking what help you are entitled to is easy using online calculators such as entitledto or the Turn2us benefits calculator.

Additionally, your energy supplier may be willing to agree to a more affordable payment plan if your energy bills have become overwhelming. It is best to reach out as soon as possible, but you can also follow the tips in our article 'How to save money on your energy bills'.