The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned state pensioners that they must complete a task in September if they do not want deductions taken from them by HMRC. Pensioners can choose to opt out of receiving the Winter Fuel Payment.
If a pensioner does not opt out and their total income is over £35,000, they will still receive the Winter Fuel Payment, but HMRC will recover the money. The DWP states that pensioners cannot return the payment themselves.
Opt-out options and deadlines
There are three ways to opt out of getting the Winter Fuel Payment. Pensioners who receive a State Pension can use the Manage your State Pension service before 11:59pm on 20 September 2026. Alternatively, they can complete the opt-out form before 11:59pm on the same date, or call the helpline before 6pm on 18 September 2026.
When using the online form or calling the helpline, pensioners will need to provide their National Insurance number. To use the Manage your State Pension service, they will need to sign in, and if they do not already have sign-in details, they can create them.
Impact of opting out
Opting out will not affect a person's State Pension, according to the DWP. Pensioners do not need to opt out every year. Once they opt out, they will not receive the Winter Fuel Payment in future years unless they opt in again.
Pensioners can opt back in by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre. To receive a payment for winter 2026 to 2027, they must contact the centre before 31 March 2027.
Contact details for the Winter Fuel Payment Centre
When contacting the payment centre, pensioners will need to provide personal details including their name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number. They can call the helpline on 0800 731 0160 or send a letter by post. Users of Relay UK, for those who cannot hear or speak on the phone, should dial 18001 then 0800 731 0160.
The British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service is available for those using a computer, with instructions for mobile or tablet use available on the DWP website. Calls are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. The DWP address for postal correspondence is Winter Fuel Payment Centre, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton, WV98 1LR.
