MPs are set to debate and vote on the UK Government’s planned policy change to the Winter Fuel Payment. From this year, the annual heating bill help will only be issued to State Pensioners in receipt of a means-tested benefit.
The cut is expected to see the number of pensioners due a payment of between £100 and £300 drop from over 11 million to around 1.5m, which means some 10m people over 66 will miss out on payments, including 850,000 living in Scotland. However, despite mounting criticism of the rule change, both the Prime Minister and Chancellor are standing by their decision in order to ‘fix the foundations’ of the economy.
As the police change is likely to go through – largely due to the sheer number of Labour MPs – Conservative MP Wendy Morton has urged the Government to introduce “financial support measures for pensioners who are no longer eligible for Winter Fuel Payments”.
In a written response on Monday, Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds focused on the annual increase to the State Pension under the Triple Lock, which Labour has pledged to honour for the next five years and promoting Pension Credit uptake.
Pension Credit is a passport benefit that can unlock help with housing costs, Council Tax and heating bills – including the Winter Fuel Payment and Warm Home Discount.
Ms Reynolds said: “This government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. Over the next five years, we expect over 12 million pensioners will see their State Pensions increase by thousands of pounds as a result of our commitment to the Triple Lock. Protecting the Triple Lock even in the current economic climate shows our steadfast commitment to pensioners.
“We are also providing support through our Warm Homes Plan which pensioners will benefit from. This will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating – upgrading millions of homes over this Parliament. Our long-term plan will protect bill payers permanently, reduce fuel poverty, and get the UK back on track to meet our climate goals.”
The DWP Minister added: “We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them.
“The government will work with external partners and local authorities to boost the uptake of Pension Credit and to target additional support to the poorest pensioners. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.”
Ms Reynolds also said that the Household Support Fund is being extended for a further six months, from October until the end of March next year. The Scottish Government is set to receive around £79m under the Barnett Formula.
The Winter Fuel Payment debate is due to start at 11am with the vote due to take place at 12.30pm – you can watch it on Parliament TV here.
Online petition
More than half a million people have signed an online petition created by Age UK calling on the UK Government to reverse the decision to make Winter Fuel Payments means-tested. The charity Age UK launched the campaign shortly after Chancellor Rachel Reeves made the announcement at the end of July.
Pension Credit Awareness Campaign
The Government has launched a campaign to encourage older people to check if they are entitled to Pension Credit, which in turn, provides access to Winter Fuel Payments. According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) around 880,000 eligible pensioners are missing out on the income-related benefit, which on average amounts to £3,900 a year.
Pensioners whose weekly income is below £218.15 for a single person or £332.95 for a couple are being urged to use the DWP’s online calculator to determine their eligibility for payments.
People with a severe disability, carers and those who are responsible for a child or a young person who lives with them could receive additional money.
An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support, including Winter Fuel Payments.
New claims for Pension Credit made before December 21, 2024 that later turn out to be successful will receive a backdated Winter Fuel Payment.
Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert help and advice is also available from:
Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it and how much you could get.
Pension Credit in a nutshell
Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also provide access to a range of other benefits.
The benefit tops up income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples – more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.
Other help if you get Pension Credit
If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme and Winter Fuel Payment
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law changed so a ‘mixed age couple’ – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
How to use the Pension Credit calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:
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earnings, benefits and pensions
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savings and investments
You’ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.
This includes:
- Your date of birth
- Your residential status
- Where in the UK you live
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which benefits you currently receive
- How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
- Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
- Any employment earnings
- Any savings, investments or bonds you have
Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week.
All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.
There’s also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.
Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?
You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:
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are deferring your State Pension
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own more than one property
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are self employed
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have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit
How to make a claim
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months.
This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
You will need:
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your National Insurance number
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information about your income, savings and investments
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your bank account details, if you’re applying by phone or by post
If you’re backdating your claim, you’ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.
Apply online
You can use the online service if:
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you have already claimed your State Pension
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there are no children or young people included in your claim
To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.