This winter, the UK government is set to provide an automatic payment worth £300 to the country's most impoverished pensioner households to help them with heating costs.
Pensioners Born Before September 22, 1958 Eligible for Winter Fuel Payment
Retired people on Pension Credit and other qualifying benefits are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. This year, however, not all pensioners will be able to get the money like they used to. Those eligible will receive the payment in November or around Christmas time.
The payment is meant to assist the most impoverished pensioners born before September 22, 1958 pay for their heating bills during the cold season. However, the Labour Government's decision to cut the payments for many has stirred indignation.
Pensioners Urged to Check their Eligibility for Pension Credit
Pensioners who do not receive Pension Credit are being urged to check if they qualify for it, as it represents a major qualifying benefit. As many as 900,000 people are not claiming Pension Credit even though they are eligible for it, this implies that many will not be able to claim the Winter Fuel Payment.
Age UK stated: “The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help you with heating costs during the colder months. The Government announced in July 2024 that, from this year onwards, to be eligible you must have reached state pension age and also receive a qualifying means-tested benefit.
“Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment for households that include someone born on or before September 22, 1958 (for 2024-25) and, from 2024 onwards, receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or an award of Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit of at least £26 for the tax year 2024-25.
“If you are over state pension age and receive a qualifying benefit, you could get £200 towards your bills. If you are over 80, you could get £300 to help with your bills in winter this year. Payments are made to the person claiming the benefit and are for the household.”