The Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) was introduced in 1977 by a Labour government as a universal benefit to help pensioners heat their homes in the winter months. A household including one pensioner receives £200 or £300 if aged over 80.
In July 2024 the newly elected Labour government announced that payment will be restricted to those pensioners receiving Pension Credit and a small number of other benefits.
The maximum weekly income to qualify for Pension Credit is £218.15 for a single person, £332.95 for a couple. PCS believes that people on this level of income cannot be seen as ‘wealthy’, particularly in the context of a cost-of-living crisis which has resulted in the most vulnerable people in the UK facing abject levels of poverty due to increased food and fuel bills.
Age UK estimates that over 2 million pensioners will be seriously hit by this cut – this includes people who miss out on Pension Credit because their income is slightly above the limit, those with high energy needs because of disability/health issues and/or live in energy inefficient homes and those who do qualify but don’t claim.
The government says it will act to encourage more people to apply for Pension Credit but this will take time and many will still miss out. The system is broken, PCS urges Ministers to urgently review this decision and work towards a welfare system which has support at its core.
Please sign our e-action to call on your MP to support PCS Parliamentary Group member, Neil Duncan-Jordan MP Early Day Motion 115 – Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations as well as urging them to write to the Chancellor, ahead of the October 30th Budget, calling for her to reverse the Winter Fuel Payment cuts.
