The Government are “looking at” the potential of further changes to the DWP Winter Fuel Payment, worth up to £300 for some households. The benefit was previously available to almost everyone in the UK born before September 25, 1957 to help cover their heating costs. However, from this winter only those on Pension Credit or means-tested benefits will get the Winter Fuel Payment.
The Treasury said the changes would see the number of pensioners receiving the payments fall from 11.4 million to 1.5 million – so just under 10 million would miss out.
They added that about £1.5 billion will be saved per year by targeting winter fuel payments. Now, Ministers are considering further changes to the payment, as they are “looking at” the lengthy form which pensioners must fill out to secure their winter fuel payments.
Pensioners face having to fill in a 243-question application to claim pension credit, which will unlock winter fuel payments of up to £300. Pensions minister Emma Reynolds acknowledged the application process was “very long”, as she also faced calls to say whether an alleged pension credit claims backlog will be cleared “before older people start having to make the choice between heating and eating”. Taking questions in the Commons on Monday, Ms Reynolds told the House: “We are looking at the form.
“Ninety percent of applicants now apply online but we know that the paper form is very long and we’re looking to see what we can do to simplify it.” R.