The DWP have come under scrutiny this year as they announced changes to the winter fuel payment that has left thousands of pensioners missing out on the benefit in Wales. The eligibility criteria for the payments has been tightened affecting an estimated 400,000 households in Wales, with those eligible receiving their first payments this month.
While previously anyone over the age of 66 was eligible for the payment of up to £300, the benefit is now means-tested. Only pensioners that receive certain benefits such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit are eligible for the winter fuel payment.
In September, responding to Plaid Cymru MP Ann Davies who asked the Government in Parliament about the number of households in Wales that would be affected by the change, pensions minister Emma Reynolds stated that 400,000 households are expected to be impacted.
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She said: “An estimated 400,000 households in Wales will be affected by the change to Winter Fuel Payments. This is the number of households that will no longer receive Winter Fuel Payment as they do not claim Pension Credit. This estimation is calculated by subtracting the number of Pension Credit recipients in Wales from the number of Winter Fuel Payment recipients in Wales using the latest statistics. Please note that the above does not take into account any potential increase in Pension Credit take-up we might see as a result of the policy.” For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here
If you were born before September 23, 1958 you can get the winter fuel payment for this winter. For those living in Wales, England or Northern Ireland to be eligible for the winter fuel payment you must been receiving one of the following since September 16, 2024:
Recent government figures show that 50,000 pensioners will fall into relative poverty in 2025 due to the changes. The data forecasts that an additional 50,000 pensioners will be thrust into relative poverty post-housing costs by the financial years end March 2025, 2026, and 2028 adding to the already estimated 1.9 million.
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