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Pensioners above a certain earning threshold have been sent letters in relation to the Winter Fuel Payment. Most people of qualifying age who are eligible automatically receive the WFP, a state benefit paid out by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), providing older people with between £100 and £300 to help with heating costs.

Last year, eligible pensioners received letters in October or November informing them how much they would receive, the Government website says. The cash is paid out to invidual pensioners rather than households, meaning two eligible people would receive separate payments, though it will be less in total than what a pensioner living alone would receive. Recipients were scheduled to paid in either November or December, 2025. However, Pensioners who have an yearly taxable income of £35,000 or more aren't eligible but are still given the cash, with the HMRC recovering it later through the tax system.

Those who received the payment in the winter of 2025/26 are being contacted by the tax authority about a change to their tax code to return the funds, MoneySavingExpert.com reports.

At the end of March, the outlet explained that this is "clawed back" over the course of the 2026/27 tax year through the tax code change - which is what the letter is informing the approximately 1.3 million pensioners in this situation who don't file Self-Assessment Tax Returns about.

The personal finance site, founded by money-saving guru Martin Lewis, said at the time that affected pensioners should receive this communication "imminently" with the a letter, text message, or email expected to arrive in "early April" - so you may have it already.

However, it noted the risk of scammers using the opportunity to try and dupe pensioners by falsifying a communication from HMRC in a bid to swindle cash.

Genuine letters from the tax authority will make clear that no action is required, won't contain any links or ask you to make a payment, it warned.

If you're in any doubt you can contact HMRC to report a suspicious email, social media account, phone call or text message that mentions the department.

If you come within the age and income thresholds that mean you'll need to pay the money back in the next cycle, you can opt out of the 2026/2027 winter payment by completing a form before 11.59pm on September 20, 2026, or calling the helpline before 6pm on September 18, 2026.

Ahead of the last opt-out deadline, John Havard, a consultant at tax advice firm Blick Rothenberg, cautioned pensioners that even the smallest amount over the threshold can trigger a clawback.

Small increases in income that could push you over the £35,000 mark include things like a pension payment, savings interest, or part-time earnings, he explained.

"You can formally opt out of receiving WFP on the Opt out of Winter Fuel Payment page on the gov.uk website," Mr Havard said. "But you must live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland to do so.

The only information required is your your name, address, date of birth, and National Insurance number.