Over half a million people have signed an online petition by Age UK, calling on the Government to abandon its plans to means-test Winter Fuel Payments. The charity launched this campaign in response to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement at the end of July, with the new rules coming into effect today.
Means-testing is the process of determining eligibility for benefits based on income and capital, including savings and investments, according to Age UK. The qualifying week for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment begins on September 16 and ends on September 22.
Despite strong opposition last week, the Labour Government’s plan prevailed, effectively excluding nearly 10 million elderly people from potential energy bill assistance of up to £300, unless they are eligible for income-related benefits such as Pension Credit.
Age UK’s ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners’ campaign raises serious concerns about the impact of these changes on many older people who rely on this financial help to cope with higher winter heating costs.
This especially includes individuals who have ‘unavoidably high energy needs because of disability or illness’ and ‘the one million people who don’t receive Pension Credit even though they’re eligible for it’. The charity declared: “We strongly oppose the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment that means only those receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits will receive it. This will leave millions of struggling pensioners without money they rely on.
“2.5 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.” They also add: “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.”
You can find more information about the Age UK campaign here. Crucially, this rule change will impact every pensioner in Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and those residing overseas.
This also signifies a delay in the launch of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, the devolved benefit set to replace Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners in Scotland, until winter 2025/26. It will adhere to the same eligibility rules as its equivalent south of the border.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has initiated a new awareness campaign aimed at increasing the uptake of Pension Credit, which serves as a gateway benefit to Pension Credit and additional assistance with housing costs and Council Tax.
They are also collaborating with local authorities across Great Britain to connect Housing Benefit with Pension Credit. Claimants who may be entitled to Pension Credit will be invited to apply for the benefit – you can learn more here.
The PM is under fire for slashing Winter Fuel Payments for most elderly Brits. In the Daily Express, Tory leadership hopeful James Cleverly blasted it as an “unbelievably foolish choice”, while Lib Dem’s Wendy Chamberlain deemed means-testing the benefit a “historic mistake”.
Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves claim cutting the allowance is vital to plug the £22 billion fiscal ‘black hole’ left by the Tories. Now 71% of disabled pensioners and 83% of those over 80 are set to lose out.
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.
When you will be eligible
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:
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Pension Credit
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Universal Credit
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Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
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Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
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Income Support
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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:
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Are not in receipt of one of the means-tested benefits listed above
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Have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
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Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
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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:
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£200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
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£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:
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£200 if both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
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£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:
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£100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
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£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:
How to claim
You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by:
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Post – from September 30, 2024
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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.
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