Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners
At the end of July, the Government announced that the Winter Fuel Payment will become means-tested in England and Wales.
Only those receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits will receive Winter Fuel Payment this year and beyond. In Scotland and Northern Ireland decisions about the payment are devolved and are not yet clear, but it's likely that the UK Government will no longer provide the money to cover the cost of what pensioners in those nations receive now.
Help us save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners.
We strongly oppose the means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment because it means as many as 2 million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it and will be in serious trouble as a result.
Means-testing the Winter Fuel Payment, with no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy choice, and one that will potentially jeopardise the health as well as the finances of millions of older people this winter – the last thing either they or the NHS needs.
Sign our petition to save the Winter Fuel Payment for the poorest pensioners.
If you or someone you know would like to sign the petition offline you can download a paper copy or request that we send one out. Email campaigns@ageuk.org.uk or write to Freepost Age UK campaigns (no stamp required).
What is the Winter Fuel Payment?
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free payment for households that include someone born on or before 22 September 1958 (for 2024-25). It's designed to help you cover your heating costs in winter, with households receiving up to £300.
Households that are eligible normally receive this payment automatically. Read more here.
You can also check if you're eligible for Pension Credit and find out how to apply here.
What Age UK is calling for
Given the evidence of the harm means-testing the Winter Fuel Payment will cause the 2 million or so older people who need it the most, the Government should call an immediate halt to the proposal.