Latest update on calls to give Winter Fuel Payments to all people over State Pension age


An online petition by Age UK, which has garnered support from over 517,000 signatories, is urging the UK Government to backtrack on its decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments. The charity initiated the campaign soon after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the policy shift at July's end, with the new rules taking effect from Monday, September 16.

The timing of the eligibility criteria change was deliberately set to align with the commencement of this year's qualifying week for the Winter Fuel Payment, which runs from September 16 to 22. Despite robust opposition in Parliament last week, the Labour Government's measures were approved, resulting in approximately 10 million pensioners, including 850,000 in Scotland, potentially losing out on up to £300 of energy bill assistance unless they receive an income-related benefit like Pension Credit.

Age UK's campaign, titled 'Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners', highlights the detrimental effects the change will have on millions of elderly individuals who depend on this additional financial aid to manage increased heating costs during the colder months.

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The charity expressed its stance, stating: "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.", reports the Daily Record.

Full details about the Age UK campaign can be found here.

What's crucial to note is that this policy alteration will impact every pensioner residing in Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, along with those overseas.

Additionally, the implementation of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, a new benefit designed to take over from the current Winter Fuel Payment for Scottish pensioners, has been postponed to the winter of 2025/26. Its eligibility criteria are expected to mirror those used for the existing scheme provided in other parts of the UK.

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched an awareness initiative to promote the uptake of Pension Credit, which not only serves as a key means of accessing Pension Credit but also offers additional support towards housing costs and Council Tax.

Working in collaboration with local councils throughout Great Britain, DWP is seeking to connect Housing Benefit directly with Pension Credit eligibility. Individuals who are identified as likely eligible for Pension Credit will receive an invitation to apply for it further information can be accessed here.

The Prime Minister is under fire for his Government's decision to slash Winter Fuel Payments for most pensioners. Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly has labelled the move an "unbelievably foolish choice" in the Daily Express, while Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokeswoman Wendy Chamberlain has called means-testing the payment a "historic mistake".

However, Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves argue that the decision was necessary to tackle a £22 billion 'black hole' in the public finances inherited from the Conservatives.

The change means around 71% of pensioners with a disability and 83% of those aged 80 or over will no longer receive the payment. To be eligible, individuals must meet the 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.

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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: