DWP faces fresh calls to reverse Winter Fuel Payment cuts for this gro | Personal Finance | Finance

October 18, 2024 2,953

A group of MPs has launched a fresh campaign for the DWP to reverse its decision to tighten the eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment.

An early day motion has been set up warning the decision to restrict the payment to people on certain means-tested benefits, rather than being a universal benefit for those of state pension age, will “adversely impact” veterans.

The campaign calls on the Government to “protect veterans from losing this crucial support by reversing the cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment“, with 23 MPs supporting the motion at the time of writing.

An early day motion is a proposed statement put forward in a single statement, to be considered for debate in Parliament.

The motion also says that the changes to the Winter Fuel Payment eligibility were “introduced with little notice as the winter months approach, and have been made without a full impact assessment.”

The motion also calls for the House of Commons to note “with concern that this approach fails to take into account those with high energy needs because of illness or disability, those who live in energy inefficient homes, and those on modest incomes just above the entitlement threshold for Pension Credit”.

To claim Pension Credit, one of the qualifying benefits for the Winter Fuel Payment, your income as a single person must be below £218.15 a week or below £332.95 a week, as the benefit tops up your income to these amounts.

Some people may have a higher cut-off point for claiming the benefit, as there are extra payments available such as if you have a severe disability or if you care for another adult.

The motion has mostly been signed by Liberal Democrat MPs, with other support including from the Democratic Unionist Party, the SNP and the Green Party.

The Winter Fuel Payment is worth £200 or £300 this year. To be eligible, you must live in England and Wales and be born before September 23, 1958.

You must also be claiming one of these qualifying benefits: