Winter Fuel Payment Replaced by Some London Councils with New Support Schemes

Following changes to the eligibility criteria for the winter fuel payment, millions of pensioners now find themselves deprived of this vital assistance to help cope with the winter cold. The UK government has decided to limit the payment—worth £200 to £300—to pensioners who qualify for pension credit. This revision aims to target those most in need and address a £22 billion shortfall in public finances, although some experts have challenged this justification.

Pensioners who are no longer eligible for pension credit will no longer receive this payment, though several local authorities, including Tower Hamlets, have stepped in to provide replacement support. Tower Hamlets is particularly affected by these changes, as it has the highest proportion of pensioners receiving pension credit of any local authority in England, at 44%. According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), this means the majority of pensioners in the borough remain eligible for the winter fuel allowance.

How Some London Councils Are Replacing the Winter Fuel Payment for Vulnerable Pensioners

In response to this situation, various local measures have been implemented to assist non-eligible pensioners. Tower Hamlets has announced a support programme worth £1 million, with £175 being distributed to pensioners in need. The majority of this funding comes from local funds, with the remainder provided by the Household Support Fund (HSF) from the government.

Lutfur Rahman, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “I have spoken with many elderly residents who are afraid of having to endure life-threateningly low temperatures this winter or having to make the impossible choice between heating and eating because they no longer have access to the winter fuel payment.”

Other London boroughs have also taken similar steps. Wandsworth, for example, is offering £300 to pensioners aged 80 and over, and £200 to those under 80, but only for those who do not receive pension credit.

Criticism: The Fragility of the Support System

The changes to the winter fuel payment have sparked strong reactions. Residents, such as Carol in Tower Hamlets, have voiced their frustration: “For the last few years, we’ve been getting £300, and this year, we’re getting nothing.” This sentiment is shared by Maggie, the chair of a residents' association on Isle of Dogs, who remarked: “If the council can recognise it, why isn’t our government doing the same?”

Phil Mawhinney of Age UK emphasised that the loss of the winter fuel payment is particularly concerning for those with health issues, especially those who rely on medical equipment that consumes a lot of energy. “Even though we’ve seen a lot more applications for pension credit in recent months, a very high proportion of these are from people who aren’t even eligible,” he added.

Government Support: Is the Commitment Enough?

The government has assured the public that it remains committed to supporting pensioners. A spokesperson stated: “We are committed to supporting pensioners—with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.” The spokesperson also noted that over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment and that there has been a 152% increase in pension credit claims.

To compensate for the loss of the winter fuel payment, the government has introduced other forms of support, such as the £150 Warm Home Discount and an extension of the Household Support Fund, which assists with food and energy costs. However, critics argue that these measures do not fully address the needs of pensioners, particularly those just above the pension credit threshold, who may still face financial hardship.

Local Council Support Available in Your Area

Here’s a summary of the support initiatives being rolled out by various London councils:

• Barking & Dagenham: Sending out letters to pensioner households eligible for a £300 support payment.
• Bexley: Using the HSF to support older residents, promote pension credit take-up, and assist through local organisations like food banks.
• Ealing: Providing local welfare assistance to residents in crisis.
• Haringey: Offering a £200 cash payment to pensioners who do not qualify for pension credit but are receiving council tax support or housing benefit.
• Harrow: Using the HSF to offer an equivalent payment to the winter fuel payment to pensioners no longer eligible, identified through council tax records.
• Kensington & Chelsea: No specific details provided, but the council is exploring options to support vulnerable residents.
• Kingston: Offering a one-off payment to pensioners who are just £1,000 above the pension credit threshold, and encouraging people to check their eligibility.
• Newham: Running a hardship support fund that residents can apply to for various forms of assistance.
• Redbridge: Focused on helping eligible individuals sign up for pension credit, while identifying and supporting low-income pensioners.
• Richmond: Introducing a £100 payment for low-income pensioners who are not eligible for the government’s winter fuel payment via pension credit.
• Southwark: Providing support to residents struggling with the cost of living, including an energy savers scheme for those needing help with bills.
• Sutton: Assisting eligible residents with pension credit applications and offering a £300 payment through a hardship fund.
• Wandsworth: Offering £300 to pensioners aged 80 and over, and £200 to those under 80, targeting pensioners on council tax reduction who are not receiving pension credit.

To find out more about what support is available where you live, visit your local council's website.