Pensioners slam winter fuel payment changes as DWP releases new update on who can claim £300

Pensioners have criticized the government for making changes to the winter fuel payment in light of rising energy bills.

In July, Rachel Reeves announced that the payment would only be made to those receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits, including universal credit.

The annual tax-free payment of between £100 and £300 was introduced to help pensioners with the costs of heating their homes in winter.

Previously, anyone who had reached state pension age and lived in Britain was eligible for the benefit, even if they had savings or a private pension. It was also open to those who had not paid national insurance contributions.

More people than ever received the Winter Fuel Payment last year, according to new figures from the Department for Work and Pensions.

A total of 11.6 million people received the payment, an increase of 214,000 compared to 2022/2023.

Age UK estimates that 2.5 million pensioners ‘who desperately need the money to stay warm this winter’ will not receive it and will be in ‘serious trouble’.

It comes as the DWP has issued an update on which pensioners are eligible to claim the payment.

From today, eligible pensioners living abroad can apply for the £300 in cash by post.

However, only pensioners who receive a pension credit, or the equivalent in the country where they live, are eligible.

Some retirees have taken to social media to express their frustration and anger towards the government.

One said: ‘Starmer OUT and all MPs who voted for the winter fuel payment are being taken away. This party just seems to be going after the elderly and vulnerable sick people, SCANDALOUS.’

Another said: ‘How did you vote on the winter fuel payment?… oh that’s right, you voted to freeze the elderly!’

Reeves scrapped the payments in a bid to find £1.4bn of savings ahead of the autumn budget, due to be delivered next month.

However, she is being urged by charities and pensioners to reverse the plan as the energy price cap rises ahead of the colder months.

From tomorrow, Ofgem’s energy price cap will rise to an average of £1,717 per year. Although it is much lower than the average £4,279 in January 2023, it still remains much higher than pre-2022 levels, when annual bills averaged between £1,100 and £1,300.

Recent figures from Ofgem show that energy debt has reached £3.7 billion.

A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said: ‘We are now entering our fourth winter of skyrocketing energy prices, meaning the average household will have paid more than £2,500 extra for their energy than if we were not so exposed to volatile energy prices. energy markets.

‘For older people who previously received the winter fuel payment, but will no longer do so under the Chancellor’s new rules, the situation is even worse.’

Others have warned of the negative impact the abolition of the winter fuel payment will also have on the NHS.

Jan Shortt, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention, said: ‘The loss of the winter fuel allowance for the majority of older people clearly puts them at risk. It is known that the elderly need warmth and a stable temperature to stay healthy.

‘Living in cold, damp homes increases the risk of stroke, heart disease and respiratory disease and is generally harmful to the rest of the body.’

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