Winter fuel payments for the elderly

The new Labour government has cut the winter fuel payment, which means only those receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits will receive it.

Pensioners on as little as £220 a week have had their winter fuel payment taken away.

Age UK strongly oppose the cut to the winter fuel payment and say this will leave millions of struggling pensioners without money they rely on.

They are particularly worried about:

• Those on low incomes who just miss out on pension credit.
• Those who have unavoidably high energy needs because of disability or illness.
• The 1 million people who don't receive pension credit even though they're eligible for it.

They are asking people to sign a petition to save the winter fuel payment for struggling pensioners.

Sign the petition

Age UK say “Cutting the winter fuel payment, with very little 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.

This is the last thing both they and the NHS need.

 

What is the winter fuel payment?

The winter fuel payment is an annual tax-free payment for households that include someone born on or before 22 September 1958 (for 2024-25) and, from 2024 onwards, receive  pension credit, universal credit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance or income-related employment and support allowance, or  an award of child tax credit or working tax credit of at least £26 for the tax year 2024-25.

It's designed to help cover heating costs in winter, with households receiving up to £300.

 

Unite takes next step in high court for judicial review

And Unite has taken the next step in seeking a judicial review to overturn the government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments to all but the poorest pensioners.

Unite’s case is built on the belief that the government has acted unlawfully and its action will have a terrible effect on millions of older people in society and will likely cause an increase in cold related deaths. Read more>

Who can still get a winter fuel payment?

You may be eligible for the winter fuel payment in the winter of 2024-2025  if you meet all of the following criteria:

• you were born on or before 22  September 1958
• you receive pension credit, universal credit, income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance or income-related employment and support allowance, or an award of child tax credit or working tax credit of at least £26 for the tax year 2024-25
• you were living in England or Wales for the qualifying week.

Some other possible sources of financial help

Pension credit comes in two parts. You might be eligible for one or both parts.

Guarantee credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level.

Savings credit is extra money if you've got some savings or if your income is higher than the basic State Pension. It's available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.

By claiming pension credit, you might become eligible for other benefits too, such as help with health and housing costs.

Receipt of either guarantee credit or savings credit gives eligibility for the winter fuel payment.

More information>