Older Britons have been urged to check they are receiving all the Government support available to them as the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment are changing.
Parliament has today (September 10) voted for the rules for the payment to change, so it will no longer be a universal benefit for those of state pension age, but instead solely for older Britons who claim means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit.
Prior to the vote, Labour MP Paula Baker asked Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, if she would assess “the impact of the removal of Winter Fuel Payments on pensioners in receipt of Attendance Allowance“.
Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people of state pension age who live with a disability or health condition meaning they need help from another person, paying £72.65 or £108.55 a week.
Pensions minister Emma Reynolds responded to clarify the new eligibility rules, saying: “Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits.
“They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.”
She went on to point out that extra support is available for Attendance Allowance claimants. Ms Reynolds said: “Pensioners on low incomes and in receipt of Attendance Allowance can qualify for an additional amount in Pension Credit, providing they meet the other eligibility criteria.
“In making a decision on Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, the Government had regard to the equality analysis in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty requirements.”
People on Pension Credit can claim an extra £81.50 a week through the benefit if they claim Attendance Allowance, which adds up to just over £353 a month.
Pension Credit tops up a person’s income, adding an amount to top up a single claimant’s income to £218.15 a week, and up to £332.95 a week for couples.
Claiming the benefit provides access to other means of Government support, with a typical claim worth £4,000 a year.
More than 800,000 people are thought to be missing out on the benefit. Martin Lewis recently pointed out the problem of how underclaimed the support is.
He said on X: “There are up to 800,000 of the poorest pensioners who get less than the full state pension (£11,400 a year) who aren’t claiming Pension Credit and will miss out on the Winter Fuel Payment even though they should get it.
“They are very hard to reach and will be under huge financial pressure. These are therefore people the Government said should be helped but due to difficulties in the system won’t be.
“These are the people I’m most worried about, some of whom may end up choosing between heating and eating.”
