Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Winter Fuel Allowance Changes – You Could Still Be Eligible!
Annie
10th Sep 2024
On 10th September 2024, the new Labour government voted to scrap the Winter Fuel Allowance for millions of pensioners and the news has been reporting a lot of concern from people, as well as the inevitable misinformation that flies around the internet. A large majority of people will still be able to claim the Winter Fuel Payment, including those most in need.
Previously, the Winter Fuel Payment was paid to anyone born before 23rd September 1958 (i.e., those eligible to claim the State Pension). The amount varied between £100 and £300. The payment was not means-tested, although the upper limit was paid to those in receipt of other benefits which may be means-tested. However, this meant everyone over state pension age received at least £100 a year in the winter to help pay for their energy bills.
The new rules mean the payment will no longer go to everyone. This has received criticism for excluding pensioners who need the payment – but those in need will still be able to claim. The new rules mean those of State Pension age living in England or Wales and in receipt of:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Could be eligible to apply. They may either receive £200 or £300 towards their winter energy costs, depending on when they were born. People born between 23rd September 1944 to 22nd September 1958 will receive £200 and those born before 23rd September 1944 receive £300. For couple living together, the amount is determined by whether one of you was born before 23rd September 1944 (£300) or both after that date (£200). Couples living together only receive one payment between them. Those who are eligible and lived temporarily in a care home for less than 13 weeks up to 22nd September 2024 will also be able to claim.
If you’re eligible, you should receive a letter in October or November 2024 to tell you this. If you haven’t received a letter by the end of October 2024 and think you should be eligible, you could make a claim. The deadline for claiming is 31st March 2025.
Didn’t take her long to upset a majority of the pensioner voters. I wonder how much difference it would have made if she had announced these plans as part of her Labour manifesto prior to the elections!
I do see where the chancellor is coming from as there are some very wealthy pensioners as long as the income level is based fairly it should not be a problem, I do think she could claw back a lot more money from all the perks that mp’s get
I dont see where she is coming from. I think its disgusting. I do agree with you that there are some very wealthy pensioners who dont need it. But my father is 83, worked hard, and has a tiny works pension and a bit of savings which means he cant get pension credit. He has to pay for the tv licence, dental treatment, glasses, full council tax which is £200 a month etc. The likes of my father and those pensioners who may only be a £1 over the limit and cant claim pension credit will be hit the hardest.