DWP issues new Winter Fuel Payment update for every State Pensioner

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that letters to millions of State Pensioners were sent between October 7 and November 4, explaining the change in eligibility to Winter Fuel Payments.

More than 10 million people over State Pension age are set to miss out on up to £300 in heating bill help this year after the Labour Government announced the annual payment will only be issued to those on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit.Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds said: “The letters informed customers of the change in eligibility for receiving the payment and urged them to check their potential entitlement to Pension Credit which would provide them with a range of additional benefits, including the Winter Fuel Payment.” DWP’s ongoing Pension Credit take-up plan is encouraging older people to make a claim before December 21, 2024 as successful applications will also be entitled to a backdated Winter Fuel Payment.

A full breakdown of Winter Fuel Payments due to be issued to around 1.5m older people over November and December can be found on GOV.UK here.A new online petition calling on the UK Government to “immediately” reverse its decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments and restore the annual heating help to all State Pensioners has almost reached a significant milestone.Nearly 10,000 people have already signed the ‘Reverse changes to Winter Fuel Payment’ petition which has been posted on the petitions-parliament website.

The UK Government’s official petitions platform recently reopened after closing at the end of May due to the general election.Petition creator Michael Brian Anderson argues that the eligibility rule change to Winter Fuel Payments could put the NHS under “more pressure” and grimly