10 million pensioners missed out on the winter gasoline fee lately because the Chancellor had restricted it to these receiving Pension Credit score or comparable funds.
Nevertheless, she was compelled to vary the coverage on account of backlash from voters, Labour MPs and activists, together with on the Could native elections when Reform UK noticed a string of victories.
The Scottish Parliament voted by 99 to 14 in favour of a decision from the First Minister, requesting the Labour Authorities at Westminster make a U-turn. The movement was supported by all of the events, together with former Scottish Labour chief Richard Leonard and Alex Rowley, who has since resigned from the entrance bench.
Responding to questions following a Spending Evaluation speech in Manchester the place she introduced transport initiatives for the North and Midlands, Reeves confirmed that the coverage could be eased in time for pensioners to obtain the funds this winter.
She mentioned: “We’ve got listened to the issues that individuals had concerning the degree of the means check, and so we shall be making modifications to that, they are going to be in place in order that pensioners are paid this coming winter.
“We’ll announce the element of that and the extent of that as quickly as we probably can. However folks needs to be in little doubt that the means check will enhance and extra folks will get a winter gasoline fee this winter.”
It’s unknown what number of extra pensioners will obtain the fee this yr, however it’s anticipated to be within the hundreds of thousands.
Right here’s what it’s essential know concerning the winter gasoline fee.
What’s the winter gasoline fee?
The winter gasoline fee is a tax-free annual fee the Authorities offers to assist older folks with their heating prices throughout the winter.
Who’s eligible for winter gasoline fee?
The quantity obtained relies on age and dwelling state of affairs. For instance:
Presently, solely pensioners receiving different advantages resembling common credit score or pension credit score qualify for the winter gasoline fee.
Many have argued that pensioners solely obtain pension credit score if their annual earnings is under £11,336.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said restricting the winter fuel payment to these on pension credit score was “reckless and incorrect” and “spells catastrophe for pensioners on low and modest incomes”.
Age UK mentioned it will struggle the choice and had launched a petition, which over 650,000 folks signed.
Scotland now not offers the common winter gasoline fee for all pensioners. As an alternative, the Scottish authorities has launched the winter heating fee, an annual allowance of £58.75 for these receiving sure advantages.
When will eligible folks obtain their winter gasoline fee?
You’ll get a letter telling you:
- How a lot you’ll get
- The checking account it will likely be paid into — often the identical one as your pension credit score or different advantages.
How you can apply in case you assume try to be eligible for the winter gasoline fee
For those who assume try to be eligible for the winter gasoline fee however haven’t obtained it robotically, you’ll be able to apply by following these steps:
- Verify eligibility: Make sure you meet the eligibility standards talked about above.
- Collect info: Have your Nationwide Insurance coverage quantity, financial institution or constructing society particulars, and the date you have been married or entered right into a civil partnership (if relevant) prepared.
- Apply by cellphone or publish: By cellphone: Name the Winter Gas Cost Centre. The cellphone quantity might be discovered on the UK Government website. By publish: Obtain the declare type from the UK Authorities web site, fill it out, and ship it to the deal with offered on the shape.
- Submit your declare: Be sure that to submit your declare by the deadline, often across the finish of March for that winter season.
When was the winter gasoline allowance launched?
The Labour authorities of Tony Blair launched the fee in 1997 to sort out gasoline poverty amongst older folks. The aim was to offer monetary assist to assist pensioners with the prices of heating their houses throughout the chilly winter months.
The fee was £20 (or £50 for these in receipt of means-tested advantages).
