Nearly 800,000 eligible pensioners to miss out on winter fuel payment

Around 780,000 pensioners will probably lose their winter fuel allowance because they won’t claim the benefits they’re entitled to, figures from the Department of Work and Pension (DWP) have revealed.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced on 29 July that, as of this year, the winter fuel payment would only be given to pensioners claiming certain benefits.  

This means 10 million pensioners no longer qualify for the benefit, which was previously offered to anyone aged 66 and over.

The move has been widely met with backlash by campaigners and organisations who worry about the impact on those who rely on the handout to help cover their bills.

In response, the Liberal Democrats have called for the government to tax the big banks instead of punishing pensioners.

Wendy Chamberlain MP, Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesperson, said it was “unthinkable” that the government would cut the payments without conducting an impact assessment.

“We know this will have massive knock-on effects for pensioners and potentially our NHS this winter as people are forced to choose between heating and eating,” she said.

“The new Labour government must reverse course immediately, ditch these cruel cuts, and get pensioners the support they need this winter.”

Why we oppose the changes

Almost two million older people currently live in poverty and strongly rely on the winter fuel payment to help cover rising fuel costs.

These cuts mean 80% of pensioners below the poverty line are set to lose their winter fuel payment because they either don’t claim pension credit, or don’t qualify for it, research by Lane Clark & Peacock has found. So only 300,000 of the 1.9 million of older people living in poverty will retain their payments.

We’re worried there will be serious risks to the health of older people who can’t afford to turn their heating on during the colder months. It’s why we recently signed an open letter asking the government to re-think their planned changes to the winter fuel payment.

How much is the winter fuel payment?

This year, the payment will be worth £200 for eligible pensioners, rising to £300 for those over the age of 80.

Who can get the winter fuel payment?

To qualify for the winter fuel payment, you need to be claiming pension credit or some other means-tested benefit, including:

• income support
• income-based jobseeker's allowance
• income-related employment support allowance
• universal credit

Don’t miss out

You can use our free benefits calculator to check you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to or give us a call and we’ll have a look for you. 

A lot of people don’t realise that they’re entitled to pension credit – which means they’re also eligible for the winter fuel payment. So it’s important to make sure you’re claiming it if you qualify.

Pension credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single or to £332.95 if you have a partner. If your income is lower than this, you're likely to be eligible for pension credit. If your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible if you have a disability, care for someone, have savings, or have housing costs.

The DWP can take up to two months to process new claims, so it might be best to apply for pension credit as soon as possible. New claims can be backdated by three months.

You can apply online or by calling the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.