Pensioners who narrowly miss out on Winter Fuel Payment fear how they will manage this winter
The Winter Fuel Payment is being means-tested
GETTY
Pensioners have been left fearing how they will get by this winter because they narrowly miss out on qualifying for the Winter Fuel Payment.
For some, if their income was reduced by £1.50, they would qualify for a tax-free payment of £300 to help with their energy bills.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the Winter Fuel Payment will be means-tested later this year.
This winter, people will only be eligible for the support if they were born before September 23, 1958, live in England and Wales, and get one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
Those who live in Scotland might get an annual £300 Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead if they get the relevant eligible benefits.
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Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the Winter Fuel Payment will be means-tested from this winter
GETTY
A pensioner couple who have been affected contacted GB News, explaining they miss out because of their income being £1.50 past the threshold.
Another GB News reader called for an overhaul to Pension Credit eligibility rules, "to make it fair".
They said: "Because of my late Dad's small private pension, my Mum is £15 a month over the threshold to qualify for Pension Credit. This is wiped out by having to pay for a TV licence and optical and dental treatment."
The GB News reader has estimated it will cost her 83-year-old mum, who lives with health conditions - £450 worse off than if she could get Pension Credit. "It's mean and unforgivable," she penned.
Pension Credit is a top-up amount for low income pensioners, which can also unlock additional forms of support.
For instance, people could get help with their heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, and over 75s who claim Pension Credit can get a free TV licence.
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Who is eligible for Pension Credit?
A person must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached state pension age in order to qualify for Pension Credit.
If a person has a partner, then the partner must be included on the application, and both parties must have reached state pension age, or one person is getting Housing Benefit for people over state pension age.
Income is calculated when a person applies for Pension Credit, and for couples, income is calculated together.
Pension Credit tops up:
- Weekly income to £218.15 if a person is single
- Joint weekly income to £332.95 if the claimant has a partner.
People might still qualify for Pension Credit even if their income is higher, if they have a disability, care for someone, have savings or have housing costs.
Income includes the state pension, other pensions, earnings from employment and self-employment, and most social security benefits, such as Carer's Allowance.
The following benefits are not classed as income:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Christmas Bonus
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Social fund payments like Winter Fuel Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Reduction