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More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice Hundreds of thousands of pensioners can expect a £200 payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) later in the year. The money is being paid as part of the Winter Fuel Payment scheme. This year, only pensioners on the lowest incomes will get the cash.
It was previously a blanket payment for all over 65, but the new Labour Government has changed the criteria, reports BirminghamLive . It has argued many better off pensioners don't need the payment and that support should be targeted at the worst off. People born before September 22, 1958 will get the money if they also receive benefits like Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Income Support.
Read more: DWP explains how to qualify for Pension Credit as it has power to 'unlock' £300 payment Read more: DWP Christmas bonus and full list of people who will get payment before end of year Those over 80 could receive up to £300. The Winter Fuel Payment is designed to help poorer pensioners with their energy bills during the colder winter months when they will need to use their heating more often. The money is normally paid automatically to those who meet the criteria and should arrive between mid-November and Christmas .
The Government has faced a backlash from some charities over its decision to scale back the payments this year. While the richest pensioners will no longer receive the payments, campaigners argue many will lose out who are not particularly well off but no longer fall within the threshold. Age UK has launched a petition against the Government's changes.
It said: "The Government has announced that the Winter Fuel Payment will become means-tested in England and Wales. As many as two million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it. Sign our petition to save the Winter Fuel Payment for the poorest pensioners.
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