The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revised its online guidance to reflect the recent changes announced by the Labour Government regarding the annual Winter Fuel Payment. Last week, Chancellor Rachel Reeves declared that the payment, ranging from £100 to £300, will only be distributed to approximately 1.5 million State Pensioners on means-tested benefits.
This alteration implies that nearly 10 million pensioners who received the payment last year will not be eligible this winter. The updated guidance also verifies that individuals in Scotland are not entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment, but may qualify for the new ‘Pension Age Winter Heating Payment’ instead.
The eligibility criteria for winter 2024/25 have also been confirmed. Individuals born before September 23, 1958, receiving a qualifying income-related benefit such as Pension Credit during the qualifying week of September 16-22, 2024, will automatically receive the payment – the money is tax-free and will not affect other benefits.
According to DWP guidance on GOV. UK, letters will be dispatched to eligible pensioner households in October or November, informing them of the amount of Winter Fuel Payment they will receive.
Most eligible individuals will receive payment in November or December. Payments will be made into the bank account where your State Pension or benefits are usually deposited.
Winter Fuel Payment eligibility
You can receive a Winter Fuel Payment this year if you were born before September 23, 1958.
You must also reside in England or Wales and receive one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
In certain situations, you may be eligible for assistance even if you reside overseas – more information can be found here.
Eligibility exclusions
You will not qualify if you:
- Live in Scotland – Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaces the DWP payment this year and whether the Scottish Government will follow the same rule change as Westminster has still to be confirmed.
- Have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
- Need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
- Were in prison for the whole of the qualifying week of September 16 to 22, 2024
Winter Fuel Payment amounts
If you live alone, you will receive either:
- £200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £300 if you were born before September 23, 1944
If you and your partner both claim any of the benefits, one of you will receive a payment of either:
- £200 if both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £300 if one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944
If you reside in a care home and meet the criteria, you will receive either:
- £100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £150 if you were born before September 23, 1944
Determining if you need to apply
If you don’t receive any of the qualifying means-tested benefits, you’ll need to apply if either of the following conditions are met:
Application process
You can apply for Winter Fuel Payment by:
- Post – from September 16, 2024
- Phone – from October 10, 2024
If you’re a Universal Credit recipient, instructions on how to apply will be provided in your journal.
The deadline for winter 2024 to 2025 applications is March 31, 2025.
Complete details about eligibility and payments can be found in the Winter Fuel Payment section on GOV. UK here.
Online petition
Over 209,000 individuals have signed an online petition launched by Age UK, urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves not to make Winter Fuel Payments means-tested, ensuring all State Pensioners receive additional annual heating bill assistance.
The ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners’ petition highlights that changes to eligibility will affect millions of older people who depend on this extra financial aid to manage higher bills during the winter months.
The petition can be viewed, signed and shared on the Age UK website here.
Pension Credit
Nearly 1.4 million elderly individuals across Great Britain, including over 126,800 residing in Scotland, are currently benefiting from the means-tested benefit that could offer an average of £3,900 in support for the upcoming year. However, recent data from the DWP indicates that there are still 880,000 eligible pensioners not claiming the benefit they are entitled to.
Many elderly people believe that owning a home or having savings disqualifies them from the means-tested benefit, which can also provide assistance with housing costs, Winter Fuel Payment and Council Tax.
Pension Credit boosts weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 a week for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. This tax-free payment is for those who:
- have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
- live in Great Britain
A mere award of £1 per week is sufficient to unlock additional support.
Fastest way to check Pension Credit eligibility
Elderly individuals, or their friends and family, can swiftly verify their eligibility and get an estimate of potential benefits using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV. UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can directly contact the Pension Credit helpline to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert guidance and advice is also available from:
Pension Credit increases 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.
