A petition urging Labour to reverse their changes to the Winter Fuel Payment has garnered over 325,000 signatures.
The Winter Fuel Payment helps pensioners with heating bills during the winter, providing between £100 and £300 to those who meet the criteria.
The payment was previously available to everyone above the state pension age in the UK, but this year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has changed the rules, and only state pensioners on means-tested benefits will qualify.
The move is estimated to affect around 10 million people and is estimated to save public finances around £1.4billion.
The decision has been met with widespread criticism and charities have warned some pensioners will be “seriously hit” by the cut.
Age UK launched a petition following the announcement, which has gained more than 325,000 signatures so far.
The petition reads: “Cutting the Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy decision.
“Millions of struggling pensioners won’t receive up to £300 they rely on to pay their bills.”
It added: “We believe as many as two million pensioners who find paying their energy bills a real stretch will be seriously hit by this cut. Those on low incomes who just miss out on Pension Credit, those with high energy needs because of disability or illness, and the one million who don’t receive the Pension Credit for which they are eligible.”
The charity noted that, while the cut applies in England and Wales, decisions in Scotland and Northern Ireland are devolved and unclear, and it’s “likely” the UK Government will no longer provide the necessary funds.
It continued: “The Government should halt their proposed change to the Winter Fuel Payment and think again.”
Who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment now?
People can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if they were born before September 23, 1958.
They must also live in England or Wales and get one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support.
Eligible pensioners will receive a letter in October or November confirming their and outlining how much they’ll get. Payments vary between £100 to £300 depending on age and personal circumstances.
