State pensioners are set to receive £200 or £300 Winter Fuel Payments this year after a Labour Party government u-turn
HMRC issues ‘never’ warning for nine million state pensioners
HMRC has issued a warning for nine million state pensioners. State pensioners are set to receive £200 or £300 Winter Fuel Payments this year after a Labour Party government u-turn, with the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) set to administer payouts.
But ahead of the Winter Fuel Payment scheme, HMRC is urging pensioners to watch out as more and more scams do the rounds. Kelly Paterson, HMRC’s chief security officer, said: “Don’t be fooled by these attempts by scammers to take your money or access your personal information.
“Never let yourself be rushed. If someone contacts you saying they’re HMRC, wanting you to urgently transfer money or give personal information, be on your guard. If a phone call, text or email is suspicious or unexpected, don’t give out private information or reply, and don’t download attachments or click on links.
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“I’m urging people to be alert to scams relating to winter fuel payments and to report any suspicious texts, phone calls or emails to HMRC.”
No pensioner will need to take any action as they will automatically receive the payment this winter, and for those with incomes above the threshold it will be automatically recovered via HMRC.
The payment of £200 per household, or £300 per household where there is someone over 80, will be made automatically this winter. Over 12 million pensioners across the United Kingdom will also benefit from the Triple Lock, with their State Pension set to increase by up to £1,900 this parliament.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Targeting Winter Fuel Payments was a tough decision, but the right decision because of the inheritance we had been left by the previous government.
“It is also right that we continue to means-test this payment so that it is targeted and fair, rather than restoring eligibility to everyone including the wealthiest.
“But we have now acted to expand the eligibility of the Winter Fuel Payment so no pensioner on a lower income will miss out.
“This will mean over three quarters of pensioners receiving the payment in England and Wales later this winter.”