Labour MP Rachel Maskell is continuing to press the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on its decision to limit issuing Winter Fuel Payments to people over State Pension age on income-related benefits.
New regulations come into force on Monday, September 16 that will see payments of between £100 and £300 only made to those on Pension Credit, Tax Credits and other means-tested benefits.
As a result of the eligibility rule change, around 10 million pensioners are set to miss out on the annual healing bill help, including 850,000 living in Scotland.
However, Ms Maskell urged the DWP to consider issuing payments based on ‘Council Tax bands or as a payment liable to tax’. In a written response on Thursday, Pensions Minister Emma Renolds said Winter Fuel Payments based on Council Tax banding “would not be possible” adding “Council Tax banding is not always an accurate reflection of someone’s income”.
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