MILLIONS of pensioners could be left in the cold this winter as Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the universal winter fuel payments will be slashed.
Only those on Pension Credit, or other means-tested benefits, will qualify for up to £300 in energy bill help starting this year.
Until now, winter fuel payments have been made available to everyone above state pension age.
Ms Reeves said it was a “difficult decision” and not one she wanted to make.
Her comments came as she revealed plans to tackle a projected overspend of £22 billion.
She told the Commons: “The scale of the situation we are dealing with means incredibly tough choices.
“From this year onwards, the Government will continue to provide winter fuel payments worth £200 for households receiving pension credit, or £300 for households in receipt of pension credit with someone over the age of 80.
“Let me be clear, this is not a decision I wanted to make, nor is it the one that I expected to make, but these are the necessary and urgent decisions that I must make.”
The winter fuel payment is designed to help pensioners pay for their energy bills over the winter.
This is typically when households use more energy due to the colder weather.
This has led charities and organisations to express their concerns over scrapping universal winter fuel payments.
Gillian Cooper, director of energy policy at Citizens Advice, said the move could put low-income pensioners at risk.
She added: “The current Winter Fuel Payment is not well targeted and is too low to make a real difference to pensioners who need help most.
“As we go into this winter, we need to see targeted support with energy bills for all those in desperate need, including low-income families and pensioners.
“Changes to eligibility to winter fuel payment will create some uncertainty. We will need to see better support for people to understand how this change impacts them, and how they can continue accessing the help they need.”
Meanwhile, Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, said the targeting of the help is “too narrow” with energy bills expected to rise again this autumn.
He said: “Pensioners were already due to get less as this will be the first time since winter 2022 they haven’t got the up to £300 extra winter fuel cost of living top-up.
“The Energy Price Cap is likely to rise 10% this October and stay high across the winter, leaving most energy bills nearly double that pre-crisis, at levels unaffordable for millions.”
Payments last year were worth between £300 and £600, depending on your specific circumstances.
This is because the amount included a “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment” – between £150 and £300.
However, the payment is usually worth between £100 and £300.
That means depending on your circumstances you could receive up to £600 in free cash.
In most cases, you will get a winter fuel payment if you were born before September 25, 1957.
You also usually need to live in the UK, but you might also qualify if you moved to a specific country before January 1, 2021, and have a link to the UK.
This includes having lived or worked in the UK or having family in the UK. The list of eligible countries is:
In some circumstances, you won’t be eligible for the winter fuel payment, even if you were born before September 25, 1957.
You won’t qualify if:
Those living in a care home will also not be eligible for a winter fuel payment, if both of the following apply:
In the vast majority of cases you don’t have to claim the winter fuel payment, say for example if you receive any of the following benefits:
If you are not on one of the above, you will need to claim if either of the following applies:
Anyone who needs to apply for the winter fuel payment has until March 31 to do so.
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
