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Over 466,700 concerned individuals have thrown their weight behind an online petition started by Age UK, demanding that the UK Government reconsiders its plan to means-test Winter Fuel Payments. This action comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves made the July announcement followed by the swift moving of the legislation through Parliament on August 22, without a debate or vote.
The latest figures suggest as many as 10 million pensioners could miss out on this crucial help with heating costs, unless they are recipients of income-related benefits such as Pension Credit. Age UK’s petition, titled ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners,’ points out that the impending changes will hit millions of UK’s elderly who rely on it to cope with soaring bills during the winter months.
In a recent development, Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, challenged the Labour Government’s decision to amend the Winter Fuel Payment terms, slamming it as the “first big mistake” of the new government. This year, pensioners can expect to receive Winter Fuel Payments ranging from £100 to £300, with the majority getting £200. However, due to a policy change, the number of older people eligible for the payment across Scotland, England, and Wales is set to drop dramatically from 11.4 million to just 1.5 million, potentially saving about £1.4 billion in this financial year.
The rule change will affect pensioners not only in Scotland, England, and Wales but also those in Northern Ireland and ex-pats, as reported by the Daily Record. The introduction of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, which is Scotland’s own benefit designed to take over from the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners, has been delayed until winter 2025/26. The eligibility criteria are expected to be similar to those currently used in England.
Sir Ed has echoed concerns raised by Labour MPs and others after discussions with constituents regarding the postponement. Nevertheless, the Chancellor has defended the move, citing a £22 billion hole in public finances left by the Tories, and stated: “it’s not a decision I wanted to make.”
In a countermove, Conservative representatives have accused Labour ministers of disseminating “ridiculous fantasies” about the economy and have put forward an Early Day Motion to call for a parliamentary debate and vote on the matter of Winter Fuel Payments.
Shadow Treasury chief secretary and former pensions minister Laura Trott, said: “This simply shows how desperate the new Labour government is to run from responsibility for the tax rises they always planned but hid from the public during the election. After handing billions in inflation-busting pay rises to their union paymasters, no-one believes Labour’s chicken little strategy.
“They should stop trying to deceive the public with ridiculous fantasies and instead have the courage to let parliament debate cuts to Winter Fuel Payments for the sake of those pensioners who will lose out thanks to the decisions of this government.”
Her comments came after Commons Leader Lucy Powell said the UK could have faced a run on the pound and an economic crash if Rachel Reeves had not announced the rule change to Winter Fuel Payments.
Ms Powell said there was “no alternative” and the decision was needed to avoid an economic catastrophe. She told Times Radio: “This is one of those very difficult decisions we had to take. But we have faced this huge additional black hole for this current financial year, borrowing higher than anybody understood.
“If we hadn’t taken some of these tough decisions we could have seen a run on the pound, interest rates going up and crashing the economy. It’s something we were left with no alternative but to do.”
Now that parliament has reconvened after summer recess, the petition by Age UK may gain more political attention. It cautions that alterations in eligibility could affect countless elderly individuals who depend on this additional aid to afford their winter utilities.
The Government has initiated a drive urging seniors to verify if they qualify for Pension Credit, which also constitutes eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments. Data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) indicates that approximately 880,000 pensioners who are entitled are not claiming the benefit, which averages out to £3,900 annually.
Pensioners whose weekly income is below £218.15 for a single person or £332.95 for a couple are being urged to use the DWP’s online calculator to determine their eligibility for payments.
Additional funds could be available for those with severe disabilities, carers, and individuals responsible for a child or young person living in their household. Even an award of just £1 per week can unlock further support, including Winter Fuel Payments.
New claims for Pension Credit submitted before December 21, 2024 that are later deemed successful will receive a backdated Winter Fuel Payment.
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:
Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it and how much you could get.
Pension Credit in a nutshell
In a nutshell, Pension Credit provides additional money to assist with living costs for those over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also grant access to a variety of other benefits. The benefit raises income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples – more if an individual has a disability or caring responsibilities.
Other help if you get Pension Credit
If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and Winter Fuel Payment
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law changed so a ‘mixed age couple’ – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
How to use the Pension Credit calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:
You’ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.
This includes:
- Your date of birth
- Your residential status
- Where in the UK you live
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which benefits you currently receive
- How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
- Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
- Any employment earnings
- Any savings, investments or bonds you have
Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week.
All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.
There’s also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.
Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?
You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:
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are deferring your State Pension
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own more than one property
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are self employed
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have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit
How to make a claim
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months.
This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
You will need:
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your National Insurance number
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information about your income, savings and investments
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your bank account details, if you’re applying by phone or by post
If you’re backdating your claim, you’ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.
Apply online
You can use the online service if:
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you have already claimed your State Pension
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there are no children or young people included in your claim
To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.