DWP issues major update over petition calling for reinstatement of Winter Fuel Payments

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update on a petition calling for the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility change to be reversed. The payment was previously paid out to all people of State Pension age.

However, earlier this year, it was announced that the payment is now means-tested. A campaign to reverse the decision on eligibility now has more than 41,000 signatures.

The Government department said it had 'no plans' to change the qualifying criteria for the payment, which is this year worth £200 or £300. From this winter, state pensioners also have to be on a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit, reports BirminghamLive.

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In its response on the Parliament website, the DWP said: "Given the substantial fiscal pressures this year and next, the Government has had to make difficult decisions to bring the public finances under control. This includes the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment, so it is better targeted to low-income pensioners who need it."

If you are considering putting in a Pension Credit claim, you need to apply by December 21 to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment. Pension Credit claims can be backdated by three months - so if you can backdate your claim over this period, you will have been entitled during the qualifying September week to get the payment.

The DWP also said millions of pensioners will get a pay increase due to the triple lock which guarantees the state pension increases each year. Payments will go up 4.1 per cent next April, with the full new state pension increasing by around £470 a year.

The response added: "Over the course of this Parliament, the full yearly rate of the new state pension is forecast to increase by around £1,900 whilst the full yearly amount of the basic state pension is forecast to increase by around £1,500." The DWP also said hundreds of thousands of people have not claimed Pension Credit even though they are entitled to it.

A typical claim is worth £3,900 a year, with the benefit providing an income top-up, as well as access to other help such as a free TV licence for over 75s, council tax discounts and money off energy bills. The DWP added that claimants can qualify for Cold Weather Payments - a £25 payment issued when temperatures drop below 0C for seven consecutive days.

Low-income pensioners also get support through the Warm Home Discount, which is a £150 rebate on your electricity bills expected to go out to one million pensioners this winter. The Government has arranged a £500 million support package with energy suppliers to help those struggling to pay their bills.

The DWP said: "This could include credit on bills, enhanced debt write-off schemes and hardship funds, reducing or waiving the standing charges over winter for certain customers, access to energy-saving devices, and enhanced funding to charity partners to target hard to reach customers."

A further means of support is the Household Support Fund, where local authorities distribute support to families, including vouchers and direct payments. This has been extended until the end of March 2026 with the funds targeted at 'children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people, larger households, single-person households, and those struggling with one-off financial shocks or unforeseen events'.

The response is available to read in full here.