The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is under increasing pressure to help disability benefit claimants access Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) as a result of recent government cuts.
DWP Urged to Assist Disabled People with £300 in Accessing Winter Fuel Payment
By Chourouk Derkaoui
Published on 6 November 2024 17:57
The DWP is being asked to assist anyone with Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment get the winter fuel allowance.
Recent Government Restrictions on Winter Fuel Allowance
The £300 benefit is no longer provided for nine benefits, like Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) due to government restrictions, in place.
After examining the reductions made in the budget proposal adjustments, for Social Security benefits cuts were addressed in a letter to Liz Kendall, from the Social Security Advisory Committee outlining their feedback and recommendations. The committee advised the DWP to ‘take all reasonable steps’ to help people become eligible for the allowance over the winter.
However, this benefit is currently only available to people receiving pension credit and certain other means-tested benefits. According to the SSAC results, more than half (53%) of people receiving pension credit also receive attendance allowance, DLA or PIP.
Impact of Winter Fuel Allowance Cuts on Disabled People
A further 1.6 million disabled people, or 71% of the population, are likely to be refused winter fuel allowance this year because they do not qualify for one of these benefits.
The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) says that to restore people's eligibility for Winter Fuel Allowance, the DWP needs to step up its efforts to encourage people to claim Pension Credit. In addition, more disabled people will benefit, according to Birmingham Live.
The SSAC said: “We consider it essential that the Department urgently reviews its current Pension Credit take-up campaign to ensure that those receiving Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, and Personal Independence Payment are sufficiently engaged and aware of the options available to them."
DWP’s Response to the Issue
The DWP has not yet responded. A government spokesperson said: "We are committed to supporting pensioners, with millions set to see their State Pension rise by up to £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock. Over a million pensioners will still receive the Winter Fuel Payment, and our drive to boost Pension Credit take-up has already seen a 152 per cent increase in claims.
"Many others will also benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount to help with energy bills over winter, while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating, and bills. In the longer term, we will bring together the administration of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit as soon as operationally possible so that pensioner households receiving Housing Benefit also receive any Pension Credit to which they are entitled.”
Campaigners believe the heating allowance is a key part of the £1,010 disabled households need each month to maintain the same quality of life as others. The Association for Disability Equality Scope says disabled people often have to pay high electricity rates for medical equipment and high heating bills because of cold-related health problems.
Initiative to Support Disabled People This Winter
According to the organization, many people are seeking help with energy bill debts, which average £2,000, and require all the help they can get. To help disabled people this winter, Scope has teamed up with Cadent, a UK gas distribution network.
Manchester, Norwich, Stoke-on-Trent, and London are the four cities where the recently established Scope Community Disability Energy Advice Service will provide assistance. On energy bills, grants, discounts, and energy efficiency, a group will offer helpful advice and guidance.