Following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement that Winter Fuel Payments will cease for some, Britons are hastily planning for the expensive winter months.
The onset of winter sees numerous households bracing for a sharp increase in energy bills and other expenses as they strive to stay warm without sacrificing other bills during the cost of living crisis. However, this winter could impose additional burdens on pensioners.
Since 1997, qualifying households have been able to receive £200 or £300 during the winter to assist with energy bills through the government’s Winter Fuel Payment benefit.
This payment was previously automatic, with universal eligibility requiring individuals to be over state pension age and residing in the UK for at least one day during the qualifying week.
However, Chancellor Reeves and the new Labour government have tightened these eligibility criteria, which is expected to reduce the number of recipients from 11.4 million to 1.5 million this winter. Consequently, pensioners must now receive a qualifying benefit to be eligible.
Nevertheless, there is still assistance available for pensioners who now find themselves ineligible. The Cold Weather Payment is another benefit designed to offset the costs of exceptionally cold weather.
Households may qualify for £25 a week for each 7-day period of cold weather, typically when temperatures drop to zero degrees or below.
To qualify for the Cold Weather Payment, individuals must be receiving certain benefits. Furthermore, households on Pension Credit or low income may be eligible for the Warm Home Discount to help with their electricity bills.
Budgeting Loans could also be an option for those receiving Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. These loans are designed to assist with unexpected expenses.
In addition, some local Age UKs provide home energy checks for pensioners through their Warm Homes programme. A trusted handyperson will visit your home to ensure it is as energy efficient as possible and provide free equipment if needed, helping households save money on their bills.
For those residing in Scotland, they may be eligible for the annual Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead of the Winter Fuel Payment.
Starting this year, people over state pension age living in England or Wales must be receiving one of the following benefits to qualify for Winter Fuel Payments:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
