An announcement from the new Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms winter fuel payments for 10m pensioners will be scrapped. With energy prices predicted to rise between 10-12% in October, this news will mean many pensioners will find it difficult to afford heating their homes.
What is The Winter Fuel Payment?
The winter fuel payment is an annual payment to help with heating costs in the colder months. If eligible, you could get between £250 and £600 to help with your energy bills to heat your home.
Who’s Eligible for The Winter Fuel Payment?
As it stands, households that include someone born on or before the 25th September 1957 get the payment. From this winter, pensions not receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits will no longer get the annual payments.
You will have to be:
- Over State Pension age; AND
- Receiving one of the following benefits:
– Income Support;
– Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance;
– Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
– Pension Credit; or
– Universal Credit.
Why is It Being Cut?
Under the new Labour Government, The Chancellor claimed the previous government’s ‘undisclosed spending’ has caused an overspend of £22bn. This cut is an effort to rebalance the books and “plug the black hole in public spending”.
Help With Paying Your Energy Bills
- Contact your energy provider if you are struggling to pay your bills.
- Cold weather payments are triggered if the average temperature in your area is recorded as zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. Check if you’re eligible here.
- Warm Home Discount is a £150 one-off payment that comes off your electricity bill. You usually will get the discount automatically if you’re eligible (in Scotland you will have to apply here).
In Energy Debt?
If you are already in debt due to rising energy bills, we can help. We offer free, confidential, no-obligation debt advice any time, day, or night via our online debt advice tool. Or if you would prefer to speak with one of our expert debt advisors, you can call us on 01925 599400 or email info@angeladvance.co.uk
