Pensioners earning over £35,000 face Winter Fuel Payment clawback

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 12:31 · Archive

Pensioners with individual annual income above £35,000 will have their Winter Fuel Payment reclaimed by HMRC through the tax system.

Millions of pensioners across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are due to receive Winter Fuel Payments of between £100 and £300 to help with heating bills for winter 2026/27. Most payments will arrive automatically in November or December. However, those with individual annual income above £35,000 will have the full amount reclaimed by HMRC through the tax system, meaning the money will eventually be recovered even though it initially lands in their bank accounts.

The income threshold applies to individuals rather than combined household income. This means couples can find themselves in different positions: if one partner earns more than £35,000 whilst the other does not, the higher earner will have to repay their payment whilst their partner keeps theirs.

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed the clawback arrangement. Energy expert Gordon Wallis from Your NRG urges older households to check whether they will ultimately be entitled to keep the money and to look at ways to cut heat loss at home.

How it is being reported

• £300 Winter Fuel Payment warning HMRC can take money back through your tax codePensioners earning over £35,000 could have their Winter Fuel Payment reclaimed by HMRC. Find out how the £300 clawback works and who is affected.Oxford Mail · 5 Nov, 11:25
• £300 Winter Fuel Payment warning HMRC can take money back through your tax codePensioners earning over £35,000 could have their Winter Fuel Payment reclaimed by HMRC. Find out how the £300 clawback works and who is affected.Oxfordshire Guardian · 5 Nov, 11:25

In this story: HMRC · Department for Work and Pensions · Gordon Wallis · Your NRG · England · Wales · Northern Ireland

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log