Another big change to Winter Fuel Payments has been revealed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The latest change to the £300 cost of living boost comes after it was announced in July that almost 10 million people who previously qualified for the support now wouldn’t.
The benefit was previously available to almost everyone in the UK who was born before 25 September 1957 to help cover their heating costs.
However, from this winter only those on Pension Credit or means-tested benefits will get the Winter Fuel Payment - those on the credit will get £200 and £300 if someone is over 80.
The Treasury said the winter fuel changes would see the number of pensioners receiving the payments fall from 11.4 million to 1.5 million – so just under 10 million would miss out.
They added that about £1.5 billion will be saved per year by targeting winter fuel payments.
As well as that change, the DWP has now updated its guidance, meaning many that previously had to apply to receive their funds now no longer need have to.
This includes people with a joint claim to Universal Credit, where one member was over the state pension age.
Under the new rules, all households claiming these benefits do not need to apply for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment unless they live abroad:
- Pension credit
- Universal Credit
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA)
- Income-related employment support allowance (ESA)
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credit
Petition against Winter Fuel Payment cuts hits 525,000
Age UK, who said the decision would see millions of pensioners unable to heat their homes this winter, set up a petition calling on the Government to scrap the change.
The petition has now received more than 525,000 signatures.
It reads: “Cutting the Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy decision. Millions of struggling pensioners won’t receive up to £300 they rely on to pay their bills.
“We believe as many as 2 million pensioners who find paying their energy bills a real stretch will be seriously hit by this cut: Those on low incomes who just miss out on Pension Credit, those with high energy needs because of disability or illness, the 800,000 who don’t receive the Pension Credit for which they are eligible.
"This cut is happening in England and Wales. In Scotland and NI decisions about the payment are devolved, and not yet clear, but it's likely that the UK Government will no longer provide the money to cover the cost of what pensioners in those nations receive now.
"The Government should halt their proposed change to the Winter Fuel Payment and think again."
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