A protest is to be held outside Parliament on Monday to highlight opposition to the UK Government’s controversial decision to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for around 10 million pensioners. The Unite union is joining forces with the National Pensioners Convention and Scottish Pensioners Forum for what they describe as a ‘mass lobby’ due to start at noon.
The demonstration will take place ahead of the planned Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) oral questions session in the House of Commons that is scheduled to start at 2.30pm. Opposition MPs are expected to challenge Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall over the decision to only pay the annual heating allowance to 1.5m people over State Pension age in receipt of a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit.
Unite members and activists from other community groups will join the event near Parliament Square and be addressed by the union’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, as well as other speakers.
Ms Graham said: “The Government’s Winter Fuel Payment policy needs to be reversed. Picking the pockets of pensioners is not a tough choice – it is a mistake.
“There is no reason why we have to choose between paying workers and keeping pensioners warm. Unite’s retired members are furious and will be making their voice heard.”
The union’s motion at the Labour Party’s annual conference last month, demanding a reversal of the Winter Fuel Payment cuts and the implementation of a wealth tax, was passed.
Following Monday’s rally, a delegation of Unite members will meet MPs.
A Government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with over 12 million set to see their State Pension rise by £1,700 this Parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.
“Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right we target support to those who need it most. Over a million pensioners will still receive the Winter Fuel pPayment, while many others will also benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount to help with their energy bills over winter as well as the Household Support Fund.
“Since our awareness campaign, we have seen a 152 per cent increase in claims, and we urge anyone who thinks they may be entitled to check their eligibility.”
The Scottish Government is expected to receive an estimated £79m through the Barnett Formula from the Household Support Fund to help communities over the winter months.
Winter Fuel Payment in a nutshell
People born before September 23, 1958 in receipt of a qualifying income-related benefit such as Pension Credit during the qualifying week of September 16-22, 2024 will receive the payment automatically – the money is tax-free and will not affect other benefits.
DWP guidance on GOV.UK states that letters will be sent to eligible pensioner households in mid-October telling them how much Winter Fuel Payment they will receive.
Most eligible people will be paid in November or December. You will be paid into the bank account your State Pension or benefits are usually paid into.
The new guidance also states that if you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 29, 2025, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.
Winter Fuel Payment eligibility
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment this year if you were born before September 23, 1958.
You must also live in Scotland, 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
- Working Tax or Child Tax Credits
In some circumstances, you might be eligible if you live abroad – find out more here.
When you will not be eligible
You will not be eligible if you:
-
Are not in receipt of one of the means-tested benefits listed above
- 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
How much Winter Fuel Payment you will receive
If you live alone
You will get 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 live with someone
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get 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 live in a care home
If you are eligible you will get either:
- £100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £150 if you were born before September 23, 1944
Check if you need to claim
If you do not get any of the qualifying means-tested benefits, you need to claim if either of the following apply:
- You have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before
- You or your partner get Universal Credit
How to claim
You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by:
- Post – from September 30, 2024
- Phone – from October 28, 2024
If you get Universal Credit, you will be told how to claim through a message in your journal.
The deadline to make a claim for winter 2024 to 2025 is March 31, 2025. Full details about eligibility and payments can be found on the Winter Fuel Payment section on GOV.UK here.
Pension Credit
Nearly 1.4m older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit.
Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, Winter Fuel Payment and Council Tax.
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 a week for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. It is a tax-free payment for those who:
- have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
- live in Great Britain
An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support.
New claims for Pension Credit made before December 21, 2024 which later turn out to be successful will also qualify for a backdated Winter Fuel Payment. This is because claims can be backdated by up to three months, taking entitlement to within the September qualifying week.
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: