Hundreds of thousands of people have signed Age UK’s online petition calling on the UK Government to reverse the new rule. An online petition created by Age UK is urging the UK Government to reverse the decision to make Winter Fuel Payments means-tested. The charity launched the campaign shortly after Chancellor Rachel Reeves made the announcement at the end of last month and have received over 412,000 signatures of support, so far.
Age UK’s ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners’ petition warns the eligibility change will impact millions of older people who rely on the extra financial support to help cover the costs of higher bills during the winter months. An estimated 10 million pensioners will miss out on seasonal heating bill help unless they are in receipt of an income-related benefit such as Pension Credit. In its latest plea for support, the charity said: “The Winter Fuel Payment will be the difference between eating and heating for many struggling pensioners this winter.
The Government must save this vital payment.” The Winter Fuel Payment is worth between £100 and £300, however for the past two years it has been worth a lot more - up to £600 - due to the addition of the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment. It’s important to be aware that only people aged over 80 receive the £300 Winter Fuel Payment, most pensioner households receive £200.
Any official response to the petition is not expected until after the parliamentary summer recess ends on September 2. Last week, the Scottish Government confirmed that Pension Age Winter Heating Payment , which is replacing Winter Fuel Payment for people over State Pension age living in Scotland, will also be a means-tested payment. The launch of the new devolved payment has been pushed back to winter 2025/26, due to the complexity of the eligibility rule change and transferring existing cases to Social Security Scotland.
An estimated 900,000 Scots pensioners will miss out on the payment, with around 140,000 due to receive the lump sum in November or December. Age UK said: “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.
” Full details about the Age UK campaign can be found here. Ofgem will announce the new energy price cap on Friday, August 23. Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight said it expects the average household energy bill to rise by 9 per cent from October 1, which will see typical annual household energy bills increase from £1,568 to £1,714.
Newly updated 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.
The money will be paid into the bank account your State Pension or benefits are usually paid into. You can get a Winter Fuel Payment this year if you were born before September 23, 1958. You must also live in England or Wales and get one of the following: In some circumstances, you might be eligible if you live abroad - find out more here.
You will not be eligible if you: You will get either: If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either: If you are eligible you will get either: If you do not get any of the qualifying means-tested benefits, you need to claim if either of the following apply: You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by: 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. Nearly 1.4m older people across Great Britain, including more than 126,800 living in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit that could provide an average of £3,900 in support during the year ahead.
However, the latest figures from the DWP suggest there are still 880,000 eligible pensioners not claiming the benefit they are entitled to. 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: An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support.
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: Pension Credit tops up income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples - more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.
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