Since last week, 270,000 supporters have signed the petition by Age UK, which means it’s just 30,000 away from reaching its 300,000 target.
However, the charity told YourMoney.com it will not stop there in garnering support for the change in Government policy.
The charity opposes the means-tested nature of the Winter Fuel Payment introduced by the Government at the end of July, which now requires pensioners to claim benefits or income support to be eligible.
As part of the petition Age UK wrote: “We strongly oppose the means-testing of the Winter Fuel Payment because it means as many as 2 million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it and will be in serious trouble as a result.
“Means-testing the Winter Fuel Payment, with no notice and no compensatory measures to protect poor and vulnerable pensioners, is the wrong policy choice, and one that will potentially jeopardise the health as well as the finances of millions of older people this winter – the last thing either they or the NHS needs.”
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With the new policy, if you were born between 23 September 1944 and the same date in 1958, you’ll qualify for the £200 tax-free payment, which will be paid in October or November. If you were born before 23 September 1944, you’ll receive £300.
You can check the Winter Fuel Payment’s eligibility section to see if you will receive the support or if you can claim one of the state benefits.
The criteria will take into account your circumstances around 22 September 2024, so if you lived in a care home from 24 June until then, you will not receive the payment. This will also be the case if you were in prison at any point between 16 and 22 September this year.
Around 10 million pensioners will no longer receive the payment, which has been automatically sent to people who are over the state pension age since 1997.
Of that amount, around two million people on low incomes are anticipated to suffer the most from the missed payments, says Age UK.
The changes came as part of the Government’s public spending audit that enforced the changes, so the financial support will provide support for heating costs “for those who need it”.
The ‘Fixing the Foundation’ speech from Chancellor Rachel Reeves looked to reassure pensioners by saying they “would still all benefit from the Government’s commitment to maintain the triple lock”.
However, Age UK believes those on low incomes who just miss out on pension credit, those with disabilities relying on high energy needs and pensioners who do not claim their benefit despite being eligible will be hit the hardest.
‘Strength of feeling clear on hottest week of 2024’
Caroline Abrahams, the charity director at Age UK, insisted the charity is committed to persuading the Government to “think again”.
Abrahams said: “The fact that so many people have taken the trouble to sign our petition within 48 hours and during the hottest week of the year shows the strength of feeling about the Government’s decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment.”
She added: “What worries us the most is that we fear many will not be able to afford to stay adequately warm this winter as a result, potentially causing them enormous anxiety and distress, as well as undermining their physical health, especially if they are living with serious health conditions.
“And to make matters worse, this isn’t the only help with heating bills that pensioners are being asked to manage without this winter, compared to last. Cost-of-living payments have stopped and the Household Support Fund has closed. Meanwhile, energy bills for a typical household are about a third higher than they were three or four years ago, and the energy price cap is expected to be lifted in October, so bills may well rise again.
“Some commentators have suggested that means-testing the payment is fair because the older people who need it the most will still be protected, but the evidence shows this is sadly not the case.”
