An online petition is calling on Labour to U-turn on its decision and now has 18,138 signatures, which means it is now entitled to a written response from the UK Government
More than 18,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the UK Government to reverse its decision to limit Winter Fuel Payments.
Winter Fuel Payments are worth up to £300, depending on your age and living arrangements, and used to be available to everyone over state pension age. But in a huge update by Chancellor Rachel Reeves this July, it was revealed that Winter Fuel Payments will now only be available to those claiming means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit.
It means around ten million fewer pensioners will get the heating help this winter. An online petition is calling on Labour to U-turn on its decision and now has 18,138 signatures. The petition is now entitled to a written response from the UK Government after passing the 10,000 signature threshold – at 100,000 it will be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament.
The Reverse changes to Winter Fuel Payment petition states: “We want the Government to restore the Winter Fuel Payment to how it was paid last winter immediately. We are concerned that pensioners could die if MPs do not act, and that the NHS could be under more pressure.” Labour has so far stood by its decision to implement the policy change this winter, claiming it needs to plug a £22billion black hole left by the Conservatives.
Age UK is also running its own petition, which currently has more than 560,000 signatures. The Age UK petition reads: “Cutting the Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with virtually no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy decision. Millions of struggling pensioners won’t receive up to £300 they rely on to pay their bills. We believe as many as 2.5 million pensioners who find paying their energy bills a real stretch will be seriously hit by this cut.”
In order to be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this year, you must have been born before September 23, 1958 and claiming one of the following benefits between September 16 and September 22, 2024:
If you weren’t claiming one of these benefits during the qualifying week, the DWP has confirmed there is still a way you can qualify. Pension Credit claims can be backdated by three months, which means you have until December 21 to apply and still be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment.
How much the Winter Fuel Payment is worth all depends on your age and living arrangements. If you’re eligible, you’ll get £200 if:
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You live alone and you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
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You live with someone and one or both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
You’ll get a £300 Winter Fuel Payment if:
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You live alone and you were born before September 23, 1944
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You live with someone and one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944