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Winter Fuel Payments: Statement From Fuel Bank Foundation

September 11, 2024

Yesterday, MPs voted in favour of cutting the winter fuel payment for all but the poorest pensioners.

From this winter, only those claiming pension credit or other means-tested benefits will receive the payment of up to £300 to help with their fuel bills. The allowance was previously available to anyone over the age of 66.

The move will reduce the number of pensioners in receipt of the payment by ten million, saving the exchequer around £1.4bn this year.

Commenting on the decision, Matthew Cole, head of Fuel Bank Foundation, said: “The removal of universal winter fuel payments will be a bitter pill to swallow for some of the millions of pensioners who will no longer receive the allowance, especially those who are just above the threshold.

Only the very poorest, with incomes often under £11,400, will now get it. Whilst better targeting of government support is something Fuel Bank has been advocating, we recognise the move will likely leave many, who rely on it to keep the heating on during the cold months, struggling. Tapering the payments rather than turning the tap off completely may have been a better solution. What we now want to see is the money that has been saved being put to good use by providing financial support to people living in fuel crisis and funding a national energy efficiency programme to retrofit the poorest insulated homes – a major contributor to fuel poverty.

Matthew Cole, Head of Fuel Bank Foundation

With the Winter Fuel Payment now primarily only going to pensioners claiming Pension Credit, Mr Cole urged anyone not currently receiving the benefit to check if they are eligible to do so.

It’s estimated that almost one million people who are eligible for Pension Credit don’t currently claim it, which is deeply concerning. Pension Credit is worth an average £3,900 a year to some of the most vulnerable people in society, and when you factor in the winter fuel payment, it’s a significant sum to be missing out on. We’ll be contacting everyone who has been supported by Fuel Bank Foundation over the last 12 months, over the age of 66, to encourage them to check if they’re eligible for Pension Credit.

Matthew Cole, Head of Fuel Bank Foundation

To check if you or someone you know are eligible to claim Pension Credit, visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit or call 0800 991234.