Winter Fuel Payment 2026 Entitlement Letter - Wrong Info

Myr

Both my husband and I have not had any change in circumstances since last winter, - both born on or before 27/06/1960 - so I was surprised to receive my letter today wrongly telling me that I will receive £200 due to not living with anyone else in my house who qualifies.

Obviously I will need to contact them now, but wondered if anyone else has received incorrect information as I believe there was quite a large incorrect data issue about 6 years ago.

Newcad

I got mine this morning, however I do live alone and so it is correct.

Has you husband also got a letter?

badmemory

I too wondered about your husband. If he earns too much (over 35k) he wouldn't be entitled to it.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82182851#Comment_82182851

From a DWP perspective he would be entitled to it though.

Marmaduke123

You have to opt out if you don't want to be paid the winter fuel allowance because your income is over 35k. Otherwise it will be paid and the amount recouped through your tax code the following year

Marmaduke123

Has your husband opted out of the payment?

Myr

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82182761#Comment_82182761

No nothing has arrived for him so far. That is not unusual though as we often do not get mail from the same source on the same day.

Our surnames begin with different letters which may affect batched mail.

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82182915#Comment_82182915

I don't think you can opt out of this year's WFA according to the letter my dad got but you can for next.

Myr

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82182915#Comment_82182915

No he has not.

Newcad

Our surnames begin with different letters ….

That may be why they think that you are single, most married couples use the same surname.

Myr

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82184714#Comment_82184714

As I wrote in my opening thread, our household circumstances have not changed since last Winter.

However, the same household calculation and individual payment rules apply regardless of marital status, provided both partners meet the residency and age conditions so you are incorrect in your assumption.

And you would be surprised to know that many couples do not share the same surname.