Winter fuel payments could return this year hints Starmer – and we could find out ‘within days’
MILLIONS of Brits will find out 'within days' whether the Prime Minister will u-turn on slashing winter fuel payments.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer today said that he wanted to provide 'clarity' to those affected and hinted that people will not have to wait long to find out.
Last year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves slashed the benefit, worth up to £300 a year, in an effort to save money.
Around 10million pensioners lost the payment, which had previously been given to everyone, including the very wealthy.
The Government said the decision was necessary to address a £22billion "black hole" in public finances.
As a result, the winter fuel payment is now only go to retirees on pension credit or a handful of other means-tested benefits.
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However, last month, in a partial U-turn, the Prime Minister suggested he wanted to see the payment go to more pensioners.
The Prime Minister did not rule out that a change may be revealed in the spending review on June 11.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme today, the Prime Minister said: "I want to look again at where the threshold is. That’s for sure. I’ll be clear with you.
"In relation to that, I do think it was our duty to stabilise the economy and to fill in that £22billion black hole. And I’m not going to resile from that."
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Ministers "need to be absolutely clear where the money is coming from" before they set out details of a partial U-turn on the winter fuel payment, Sir Keir said.
He added: "But I take your point, which is that if we want to look again at which pensioners are eligible, then the sooner we have clarity on that, the better."
The threshold for the winter fuel allowance is set at £11,800 a year for individuals and £18,023 for pensioner couples - the same level as pension credit.
It is understood that the threshold coupe be raised.
Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner also signalled further details could come in the June 11 statement to the Commons, describing it as the "first opportunity" to do so.
Elsewhere in his interview with the BBC, the Prime Minister gave a strong signal he is considering scrapping the two-child benefit cap.
It remains unclear how the government plans to expand eligibility for the winter fuel payment.
Experts, including former pensions minister Steve Webb, have proposed that the government could reinstate the payment for all pensioners but make it taxable, ensuring the wealthiest would repay up to 45% of the benefit.
For now, all options appear to be under consideration.
Meanwhile, 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.
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:
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- How much you'll get
- Which bank account it will be paid into
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.