By Linda Howard
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will issue Winter Fuel Payments of between 拢100 and 拢300 to an estimated nine million pensioners in England and Wales over November and December. People over 66 in Scotland will receive up to 拢305 through the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment on November 30. Payments of both benefits will be issued automatically. However, Pensions Minister Torsten Bell has confirmed around two million people over State Pension age currently have an annual income above the 拢35,000 eligibility threshold and can either pay the money back through PAYE or a self Assessment tax return. They can also opt out of receiving the payment. He explained there is no need to take any 鈥渋mmediate action鈥 but if anyone wants to opt out they must do so before September 15, 2025. The DWP Minister鈥檚 comments came after Conservative MP Charlie Dewhirst asked the Treasury about the number of pensioners 鈥渨ho will need to pay back the Winter Fuel Payment through tax system, in each financial year between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2029鈥. In a written response on Tuesday, Mr Bell said: 鈥淔rom this winter 2025-26 Winter Fuel Payment eligibility will be expanded in England and Wales. Pensioners with incomes below or equal to 拢35,000 will benefit from Winter Fuel Payments. 鈥淎bout nine million individuals will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment this winter. Winter Fuel Payments will be paid automatically meaning any pensioner receiving a State Pension or DWP benefit or who has previously received a Winter Fuel Payment will not need to make a claim. 鈥淭here are about two million individuals with an income above 拢35,000. Those who receive a Winter Fuel Payment will have the full amount of their Winter Fuel Payment recovered via HMRC. Pensioners do not need to take any immediate action, and those that wish to opt out of receiving the winter fuel payment can do so.鈥 Full details on what you will need before contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre can be found on GOV.UK here. You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22, 1959 and live in England or Wales. You will not be eligible if you: You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home, however, you will not be eligible if both of the following apply: DWP guidance explains: 鈥淵ou鈥檒l get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you鈥檒l get, if you鈥檙e eligible. 鈥淚f you do not get a letter but think you鈥檙e eligible, check if you need to make a claim.鈥 It鈥檚 important to be aware that scammers may try and trick you into making a claim by text, prompting you to click on a link. This is not an official DWP message and should be deleted. If you think you need to claim, follow the guidance on GOV.UK here. The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 15 to 21 September 2025. This is called the 鈥榪ualifying week鈥. Any money you get will not affect your other benefits. You will get either: Your payment may be different if you get one of the following benefits: You will get a payment of: One of you will get a payment of either: The money will be paid into the bank account your benefits are usually paid into. You will get a payment of either: If you are eligible you鈥檒l get either: DWP said most payments will be made automatically in November or December. You should get a letter telling you: DWP added: 鈥淚f you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre .鈥