OVER 150,000 fewer pensioners are expected to receive the winter fuel payment in the coming years, according to new government data.
The drop is linked to a forecasted decline in the number of pensioners claiming pension credit, worth up to £300 a year.
The Department for Work and (DWP) predicts that the number of recipients will fall from 1.365million in 2025/26 to 1.210million by 2029/30.
This decline has raised concerns about the long-term impact of means-testing fuel payments, which ties eligibility to receiving pension credit.
As fewer pensioners claim pension credit, fewer will receive help with their winter fuel .
Recent , including , have led to a temporary rise in pension credit applications.
However, Steve Webb, partner at pension consultants LCP,said: “The decision to restrict winter fuel payments to those on pension credit has already from the large majority of pensioners.
“But what may not be appreciated is that as fewer and fewer pensioners are entitled to pension credit in , this will mean fewer pensioners retaining help with their winter fuel payments.
“The recent publicity boost for pension credit does not change the long-term downward trend in the numbers receiving the benefit.”
Two major factors are driving the decline in pension credit claims.
Firstly, the rising age is reducing the number of people eligible for pension credit.
Between April 2026 and April 2028, the , meaning fewer pensioners will be able to claim the benefit.
Secondly, the introduction of the new state pension has improved retirement incomes for many.
As older pensioners with lower incomes pass away, they are being replaced by newer retirees who are less likely to qualify for pension credit due to their .
This decline could leave many pensioners struggling to heat their during the colder months, raising concerns about the adequacy of support for older people in the future.
Currently, an estimated , meaning they will miss out on this winter's fuel payment.
Do you qualify for pension credit?
tops up your weekly income to £227.10 if you are single or to £346.60 if you have a partner.
This is known as “guarantee credit”.
If your income is lower than this, you're very likely to be eligible for the benefit.
However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
You could get an extra £82.90 a week if you have aor claim any of the following:
- The middle or highest rate from the care component of disability living allowance (DLA)
- The daily living component of
- Armed forces independence payment
- The daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.
You could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if both of the following apply:
- You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016
- You saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension
This part of pension credit is worth £17.30for single people or £19.36 for couples.
Claims for pension credit also open doors to a number of freebies and discounts.
For example, pension credit claimants over 75 qualify for a free TV licence worth up to £174.50 a year.
Claims for the benefit also provide eligibility to £25 a week and the £150 warm home discount.
How much is the winter fuel payment and how is it paid?
If you were born before September 23, 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025.
You get £200 if you were born between September 23 1944, and September 22, 1958.
If you were born before September 23 1944, you're entitled to £300.
Most payments are made automatically in November or December.
You'll usually get a letter in October telling you:
- How much you'll get
- Which bank account it will be paid into
If you do not get a letter or the has not been paid into your account by the end of January, you'll need to contact the Centre on 0800 731 0160.
