Pensioners are being warned that they may have to pay back their Winter Fuel Payment to the Government after initially receiving it.
This comes following the news that the up to £300 in energy bill support will means-tested going forward after previously being universal.
In July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the allowance would now be reserved for those on means-tested payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), such as Pension Credit.
This comes as a blow to those of state pension age who have struggled with the cost of living in recent years, notably when it comes to energy costs.
However, older Britons who still meet this eligibility criteria may be unaware they are still at risk of losing their Winter Fuel Payment.
There are certain circumstances in which pensioner households will need to pay back the Winter Fuel Allowance to the DWP.
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Pensioners are preparing to lose energy bill support GETTY When do pensioners need to pay back Winter Fuel Payment?
There are three specific situation when the DWP will contact households to inform them that the allowance will need to be returned.
These include:
- When someone does not report change in circumstance, such as moving address or no longer claiming their qualifying DWP benefit for the Winter Fuel Payment.
- When someone provides wrong information in their application for the allowance, such as sharing the incorrect age
- When someone is overpaid money from the DWP.
How to avoid paying back Winter Fuel Payment
Britons are being called to let the DWP of any changes to their circumstances which could affect their claim to avoid being placed in any of the above situations.
As it stands, those who are not entitled to means-tested support or on low income are not able to claim the payment under the new criteria so any accidental awards will need to be paid back.
Older people residing in the UK will be able to inform the Government of any changes by contacting the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
Alternatively, anyone impacted who lives outside the UK can reach the DWP’s helpline by calling +44 (0)191 218 7777.
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Pensioners are being warned about losing their money to the DWP
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Recently, Age UK’s charity director Caroline Abrahams called on the UK Government to expand the qualifying criteria to include other benefit as public outrage over means-testing grows.
She explained: “If [Labour] is dead set on pressing ahead, the very least they should do is to greatly expand the numbers of pensioners who will receive a WFP beyond the small group they have so far said will retain it.
“They could achieve this in part by automatically giving the Payment to pensioners on other benefits, such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Personal Independence Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance.
“Even this would not be enough though because many pensioners on low incomes or in vulnerable circumstances would still miss out on a WFP when they can ill afford to do so.”