Data released by the Department for Work and Pensions this week has revealed that the number of Winter Fuel Payments recipients increased by 214,000 from winter 2022/23 to winter 2023/24.
Winter Fuel Payments were introduced in 1997 to help pension aged people pay their heating bills, which is annual tax-free payment of between £100 and £300, to those aged over 66 years old. All Winter Fuel Payments made included an additional Pensioner Cost of Living Payment of either £150 or £300.
The number of households paid a Winter Fuel Payment in winter 2023/24 was 8.5 million, which is an increase of 140,000 households since the last winter. Of those who received the payment, 34,300 lived in the European Economic Area or Switzerland, 76.4% of whom live in Ireland.
In the UK, coastal areas such as Clacton (21,780) and West Dorset (20,312) had the highest numbers of recipients, whilst city constituencies such as Manchester Rusholme, Sheffield Central and Bristol Central had the least (less than 6,000).
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In September, the Government announced that the Winter Fuel Payment would be means tested for winter 2024/25, with households no longer being automatically entitled to the payment. Pensioners will only be eligible if they receive Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits.
The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that 1.5 million individuals in 1.3 million households in England and Wales will receive the payment in winter 2024/25. Although these payments are devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland, both regions have indicated they will follow the UK Government’s decision to restrict payments.
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