Labour has dramatically altered who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment this year, significantly reducing the number of pensioners who can access this money.
Rachel Reeves is plotting to means test the payment in move that will see the payment yanked from millions.
In contrast to last year when every pensioner automatically qualified for this one-off payment, which typically starts hitting accounts in November, it will now only be available to those on Pension Credit or certain other entitlements.
Winter fuel payment eligibility criteria
You can qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this year if you were born before September 23, 1958 and live in England or Wales while receiving one of the specified benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible for the next round of winter fuel payments if any of the following criteria apply to you:
- You live in Scotland
- You have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
- You were in prison for the whole of the week of 16 to 22 September 2024
- You were living in a care home for the whole time from 24 June to 22 September 2024
