Winter Fuel Payments will be made to millions of pensioners this winter after a U-turn on the rules, but some people will still miss out on a payment
(Image: Marina113 via Getty Images)
The Government has revealed which pensioners will be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment this year, following a significant reversal of last year’s unpopular eligibility rules.
As a result of the U-turn, an additional millions of pensioners will receive the payment, worth up to £300, this winter, bringing the total number of recipients to nine million.
Pensioners with an income of £35,000 or less will be eligible for the payment; however, those exceeding this threshold, including the wealthiest, will be excluded.
Although technically all pensioners will receive the support, those earning over £35,000 will have the payment deducted from their tax returns, as implementing a targeted payment system was deemed too complicated.
With the increased income threshold, millions more elderly individuals will be eligible for the winter payment starting in November, resulting in approximately 75% of pensioners receiving the payment.
The confirmation of eligibility follows criticism directed at the Government for not providing adequate details after announcing the U-turn last month.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves maintains that last year’s cuts were the “right decision” and the improving economic landscape now allows for the provision of winter support to more households.
However, the policy has been a resounding failure, causing a sharp decline in support for Labour, as the party faced intense criticism over the policy. Ms Reeves stated: “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.”
(Image: Marina113 via Getty Images)