Winter fuel payment has changed. Last year, after the government’s decision to cut the eligibility for payment only the poorest pensioners, they have now expanded the criteria to receive the payment once again.
While not all pensioners will get payment in this winter, the eligibility has been expanded, so two-thirds will receive a payment of £ 200-300 to help in the temperature cost of the cold season.
In the previous winter, payment will be received only in the receipt of pension credit. But now, all pensioners with income less than £ 35,000 will get it.
Treasury stated that the new threshold “is above the income level of pensioners in poverty and is roughly corresponding to the average earnings, the taxpayer balances support for low income pensioners with impartiality”.
The ministers estimate that the change would cost the taxpayer £ 1.25BN in England and Wales, when the winter fuel payment was universally available, it would save £ 450m in comparison.
The Treasury has not yet determined how it will pay for uplift, but insisted that the cost of autumn will be calculated.
How to get winter fuel payment
Payment of £ 200 per domestic, or £ 300 per house where there is no person of more than 80, will be made automatically in this winter, which means no pensioner will need to take any action to receive payment.
People with income in -income above £ 35,000 will look automatically recovered recovery payments via HMRC, or they have the option to get out.
When is the time limit for applying for winter fuel payment?
There is no time limit to apply for winter fuel payment, as the benefits will be paid automatically to all pensioners.
However, if you earn above the range of £ 35,000, there will be a deadline to apply to get out of payment. Details of the time frame, and how to apply, is not yet to be declared by the government.