The Government has confirmed that some over-65s will be considered too wealthy to qualify for Winter Fuel Payments this year, as income-related rules now apply. The winter allowance, previously universal for all pensioners, is now linked to income, and not everyone gets to keep it.
New Income Threshold and Payment Amounts
The cash boost is worth either £200 or £300 depending on age, but a £35,000 income threshold is now in place. Anyone who receives over this amount in a year does not qualify for the winter boost. Although they will initially receive the payments, HMRC will claw the cash back from pension payments over the following year. These pensioners are judged to be financially comfortable enough to cope without the cash boost.
Impact on Pensioners
Around three million over-65s no longer qualify for the support. These rules will remain in place under Andy Burnham and new Chancellor John Healey. The state pension overall went up once again this year by hundreds of pounds under triple lock rules.
