FRESH BLOW
Over 150,000 MORE households set to lose £300 winter fuel payments this year
Check if you'll still be able to make a claim below
OVER 150,000 fewer pensioners are expected to receive the winter fuel payment in the coming years, according to new government data.
The drop is linked to a forecasted decline in the number of pensioners claiming pension credit, a benefit that is now required to qualify for the payment worth up to £300 a year.
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) predicts that the number of pension credit recipients will fall from 1.365million in 2025/26 to 1.210million by 2029/30.
This decline has raised concerns about the long-term impact of means-testing winter fuel payments, which ties eligibility to receiving pension credit.
As fewer pensioners claim pension credit, fewer will receive help with their winter fuel bills.
Recent campaigns, including The Sun's Winter Fuel SOS, have led to a temporary rise in pension credit applications.
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However, Steve Webb, partner at pension consultants LCP, said: "The decision to restrict winter fuel payments to those on pension credit has already taken the payment away from the large majority of pensioners.
"But what may not be appreciated is that as fewer and fewer pensioners are entitled to pension credit in future, this will mean fewer pensioners retaining help with their winter fuel payments.
"The recent publicity boost for pension credit does not change the long-term downward trend in the numbers receiving the benefit."
Two major factors are driving the decline in pension credit claims.
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Firstly, the rising state pension age is reducing the number of people eligible for pension credit.
Between April 2026 and April 2028, the qualifying age will rise from 66 to 67, meaning fewer pensioners will be able to claim the benefit.
Winter Fuel Payment Changes
Secondly, the introduction of the new state pension has improved retirement incomes for many.
As older pensioners with lower incomes pass away, they are being replaced by newer retirees who are less likely to qualify for pension credit due to their higher state pension entitlements.
This decline could leave many pensioners struggling to heat their homes during the colder months, raising concerns about the adequacy of support for older people in the future.
Currently, an estimated 760,000 households eligible for pension credit have not made a claim, meaning they will miss out on this winter's fuel payment.
The Sun's Winter Fuel S.O.S Campaign
THE Sun's Winter Fuel SOS Campaign is here to support households during these challenging times.
Due to government cutbacks, ten million pensioners are set to lose the £300 Winter Fuel Payment.
Since opening our phone lines to thousands of pensioners in October, we remain dedicated to providing tips and advice on how to stretch your finances further.
That's why we have partnered with the poverty charity Turn2Us to launch a free benefits checker, helping you ensure that you are claiming all the benefits to which you are entitled.
Don't miss our latest Sun Money coverage, which includes essential information on key deadlines, applying for support, and everything you need to know about Pension Credit.
If you have a story to share or wish to get in touch with our team, please email us at [email protected].
Do you qualify for pension credit?
Pension credit tops up your weekly income to £227.10 if you are single or to £346.60 if you have a partner.
This is known as "guarantee credit".
If your income is lower than this, you're very likely to be eligible for the benefit.
However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
You could get an extra £82.90 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:
- Attendance allowance
- The middle or highest rate from the care component of disability living allowance (DLA)
- The daily living component of personal independence payment (PIP)
- Armed forces independence payment
- The daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.
You could get the "savings credit" part of pension credit if both of the following apply:
- You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016
- You saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension
This part of pension credit is worth £17.30 for single people or £19.36 for couples.
Claims for pension credit also open doors to a number of freebies and discounts.
For example, pension credit claimants over 75 qualify for a free TV licence worth up to £174.50 a year.
Claims for the benefit also provide eligibility to £25 a week cold weather payments and the £150 warm home discount.
How do I apply for pension credit?
YOU can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.
Applications for pension credit can be made on the government website or by ringing the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you'll need to be with them when they do.
You'll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:
- National Insurance number
- Information about any income, savings and investments you have
- Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age)
You can also check your eligibility online by visiting www.gov.uk/pension-credit first.
If you claim after you reach pension age, you can backdate your claim for up to three months.
How much is the winter fuel payment and how is it paid?
If you were born before September 23, 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025.
You get £200 if you were born between September 23 1944, and September 22, 1958.
If you were born before September 23 1944, you're entitled to £300.
Most payments are made automatically in November or December.
You'll usually get a letter in October telling you:
- How much you'll get
- Which bank account it will be paid into
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If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by the end of January, you'll need to contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity works out what you could get.
Entitledto's determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
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