Winter Fuel Payments Eligibility Change

Rosie_Scope

It's just been announced that the eligibility threshold for Winter Fuel Payments has been raised to include anyone over State Pension age with an income of up to £35,000.

The government say this will mean that around 75% of pensioners in England and Wales will now benefit from the payment. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate Winter fuel schemes, so are not included in the announcement today.

About the payments

Eligible households made up of anyone between State Pension age and 79 will receive £200.

If the household includes someone aged 80 or over, the payment will be £300.

Where the household is not getting an income related benefit such as Pension Credit, the payment will be shared. For example, a couple where both people are under 80 years old will receive a payment of £100 each.

For those in couples where one person's income is over £35,000 per year, the person with the higher income will not receive a payment. The person with a lower income will receive half a payment.

There's some more information about the change here:

Nine million pensioners to receive Winter Fuel Payments this winter - GOV.UK

ashmere

@Rosie_Scope Do you know if the £35,000 is per individual or household? If it's individual I'm just wondering what will happen when there's a couple with one over £35k and one under?

bellatango

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4gnk7g228o

@ashmere

Eligible households with a person under 80 automatically receive £200 a year in November or December, while homes with a person over 80 receive £300.

The payments are halved if one household has two pensioners living together. If one of them earns more than £35,000 and the other earns less than £35,000, the higher-income pensioner will not receive any payment and the lower-income pensioner will receive half the payment.

Rosie_Scope

@ashmere, looks like bellatango got there before me with an answer, thank you @bellatango!

I'll add some information to the original post.

ashmere

Thanks @bellatango. I wonder if they will manage to do that automatically or if it will be paid to all and then reclaimed?

Bluebell21

Hi @ashmere It will be done automatically and paid to all and claimed back in tax for those Pensioners over £35,000 income by HMRC.

WhatThe

Great news! When I retire, my disposable income will more than double before the WFA, Warm Home Discount and Household Support Fund are added on…

Reducing the two-child benefit cap way below its current £80k shouldn't be too difficult for the government.