Yahoo News New update on calls to give Winter Fuel Payments to all people over State Pension age
More than 525,000 people have signed an online petition created by Age UK calling on the UK Government to reverse the decision to make Winter Fuel Payments means-tested. The charity launched the campaign shortly after Chancellor Rachel Reeves made the announcement at the end of July, with the policy change in effect from today, September 16.
The date for the eligibility rule change was chosen to coincide with the start of qualifying week for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment - September 16 to 22. Despite fierce opposition in Parliament last week, the Labour Government’s plans passed, which means that around 10 million pensioners - including 850,000 in Scotland - will miss out on energy bill help of up to £300, unless they are in receipt of an income-related benefit such as Pension Credit.
Age UK’s ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners’ petition warns the eligibility change will impact millions of older people who rely on the extra financial support to help cover the costs of higher bills during the winter months.
READ MORE: £200 heating bill help this winter for households with people aged between 66 and 79
The charity said: “We strongly oppose the means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment because it means as many as 2 million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it and will be in serious trouble as a result.
“Means-testing the Winter Fuel Payment, with no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy choice, and one that will potentially jeopardise the health as well as the finances of millions of older people this winter - the last thing either they or the NHS needs.” Full details about the Age UK campaign can be found here.
It’s important to be aware that the rule change will affect every pensioner in Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and those living abroad.
It also means the launch of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, the devolved benefit set to replace Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners in Scotland, has been delayed until winter 2025/26. It will follow the same eligibility rules as its counterpart south of the border.
A new awareness campaign by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) aims to drive take-up of Pension Credit, which acts as a gateway benefit to Pension Credit and additional help with housing costs and Council Tax.
They are also working with local authorities across Great Britain to link Housing Benefit with Pension Credit. Claimants identified as potentially being entitled to Pension Credit will be invited to apply for the benefit - find out more here.
The Prime Minister is facing continued criticism over his Government’s decision to cull Winter Fuel Payments for the majority of pensioners. Writing in the Daily Express, Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly said it was an “unbelievably foolish choice” while Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokeswoman Wendy Chamberlain said means-testing the payment was a “historic mistake”.
Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have insisted the decision was necessary to help address a £22 billion ‘black hole’ in the public finances this year that they inherited from the Conservatives.
Around 71 per cent of pensioners with a disability and 83 per cent of those aged 80 or over will now miss out on the payment.
People will only receive the payment if they meet the eligibility criteria at some point this week.
To help people check whether they will be due a payments this year, below is a quick guide to eligibility and payment rates depending on your household circumstances. There is also an overview of Pension Credit and details on how to claim.
Winter Fuel Payment in a nutshell
People born before September 23, 1958 in receipt of a qualifying income-related benefit such as Pension Credit during the qualifying week of September 16-22, 2024 will receive the payment automatically - the money is tax-free and will not affect other benefits.
DWP guidance on GOV.UK states that letters will be sent to eligible pensioner households in October or November telling them how much Winter Fuel Payment they will receive.
Most eligible people will be paid in November or December. You will be paid into the bank account your State Pension or benefits are usually paid into.
Winter Fuel Payment eligibility
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment this year if you were born before September 23, 1958.
You must also live in Scotland, England or Wales and get one of the following:
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Working Tax or Child Tax Credits
In some circumstances, you might be eligible if you live abroad - find out more here.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
Are not in receipt of one of the means-tested benefits listed above
Have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
Were in prison for the whole of the qualifying week of September 16 to 22, 2024
How much Winter Fuel Payment you will receive
If you live alone
You will get either:
£200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
£300 if you were born before September 23, 1944
If you live with someone
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:
£200 if both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
£300 if one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944
If you live in a care home
If you are eligible you will get either:
£100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
£150 if you were born before September 23, 1944
Check if you need to claim
If you do not get any of the qualifying means-tested benefits, you need to claim if either of the following apply:
You have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before
You or your partner get Universal Credit
How to claim
You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by:
Post - from September 30, 2024
Phone - from October 10, 2024
If you get Universal Credit, you will be told how to claim through a message in your journal.
The deadline to make a claim for winter 2024 to 2025 is March 31, 2025. Full details about eligibility and payments can be found on the Winter Fuel Payment section on GOV.UK here.
Pension Credit
Nearly 1.4m older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit.
Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, Winter Fuel Payment and Council Tax.
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 a week for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. It is a tax-free payment for those who:
have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
live in Great Britain
An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support.
New claims for Pension Credit made before December 21, 2024 which later turn out to be successful will also qualify for a backdated Winter Fuel Payment. This is because claims can be backdated by up to three months, taking entitlement to within the September qualifying week.
Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert help and advice is also available from:
