New update on calls for Winter Fuel Payments to be issued to all State Pensioners

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently rejected proposals in an online petition calling on the UK Government to “reverse” the eligibility rule changes to Winter Fuel Payments and issue the annual heating help to everyone over State Pension age.

Despite the response, more than 55,700 people have signed the e-petition which could see the controversial decision debated by MPs.At 100,000 signatures of support, the Petitions Committee will consider the petition for debate in Parliament and as the number of supporters grow and the petition open until early May, it looks well on its way to achieving this threshold.

An estimated 10 million older people will miss out on Winter Fuel Payments of between £200 and £300 in this financial year, including 850,000 Scots.Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the policy change at the end of July, saying that the move was necessary to help plug a ‘£22 billion black hole’ left by the Conservative administration.

Only people over 66, in receipt of a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit now qualify for the one-off annual payment.The DWP started issuing the 2024/25 Winter Fuel Payments in November and payments will automatically continue until January 29, 2025.In a written response to the petition, the DWP said: “The Government has no plans to reverse the means testing of the Winter Fuel Payment but is focusing on increasing Pension Credit take-up to ensure all eligible pensioners continue to receive support.”Petition creator Michael Brian Anderson argues that the eligibility rule change to Winter Fuel Payments could put the NHS under “more pressure” and grimly warns that “pensioners could die if MPs do not act”.The petition states: “We want the Government to restore the