The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has stated that it has “no plans” to change the qualifying criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment, as thousands of pensioners will miss out on the £200 or £300 payment from this year. The group has issued a response to a petition demanding a reversal of the eligibility rules change, which garnered over 41,000 signatures.
The payment previously went out to all individuals of state pension age; however, now recipients must also be in receipt of a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit. The DWP said in the reply: “Given the substantial fiscal pressures this year and next, the Government has had to make difficult decisions to bring the public finances under control.
“This includes the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment, so it is better targeted to low-income pensioners who need it.” Those planning on putting in a claim for Pension Credit should note the deadline of December 21 to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.
Pension Credit claims can be retrospectively applied for up to three months, so if your claim includes the week of qualification in September, you will also get the Winter Fuel Payment. Defending its decision, the Government also highlighted that millions of pensioners are will get a boost to their income next year thanks to the triple lock, which ensures a yearly rise in the state pension.
Payments will increase by 4.1 percent next April, equating to an annual boost of around £470 for those with the full new state pension. The DWP outlined that: “Over the course of this Parliament, the full yearly rate of the new state pension is forecast to increase by around £1,900 whilst the full yearly amount of the basic state pension is forecast to increase by around £1,500.”
The Government has ran a campaign to encourage people to apply in recent months, but there are still thought to be hundreds of thousands of people missing out, with a typical claim worth £3,900 a year. Claimants can access support such as a free TV licence for over 75s, council tax discounts, and energy bill discounts.
Furthermore, the DWP mentioned other available aid, including Cold Weather Payments, which grant £25 during period of sub-zero temperatures. The Warm Home Discount scheme also provides an £150 electricity rebate, with a million low-income pensioners set to benefit this winter.
The Government has also arranged a £500million project with energy suppliers to help those struggling to pay their bills. The DWP elaborated: “This could include credit on bills, enhanced debt write-off schemes and hardship funds, reducing or waiving the standing charges over winter for certain customers, access to energy-saving devices, and enhanced funding to charity partners to target hard to reach customers.”
The department also mentioned the Household Support Fund, which involves local councils distributing aid to families in need, such as vouchers and direct payments. This initiative has been extended until the end of March 2026, focusing on providing support to “children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and disabled people, larger households, single-person households, and those struggling with one-off financial shocks or unforeseen events”. The full response is available for you to read here.