Response to announcement on potential changes to Winter Fuel Payment Eligibility

Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said:

“I welcome the announcement from the Prime Minister today that he ‘wants more people to be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment’, something that would make a positive difference to the lives of many older people in Wales.

“The loss of the crucial support provided by the Winter Fuel Payment is an issue that is still raised with me by older people across Wales. Many individuals have told me that they cut back on their heating last winter due to the changes, and many are also concerned about the winter ahead.

“The UK Government has an opportunity to demonstrate it has listened and is responding to concerns about the impact of means testing the Winter Fuel Payment from older people and those who advocate for and support them, and ensure older people don’t face another winter where they are uncertain about how they will afford their heating costs.

“The UK Government must provide urgent clarity on what today’s announcement will mean in reality.

“Simply raising the financial threshold by which older people become eligible for the payment is not enough.  We know that where people have tried to claim Pension Credit and been turned down because they are a few pounds or even pence over, many will be reluctant to try again, meaning they would continue to miss out in the coming winter.

“I would strongly urge the UK Government to fully reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment as a universal entitlement.

“This will mean that everyone who needs the payment receives it, potential cliff-edge thresholds will be removed and older people will not be subjected to a potentially difficult and stigmatising claims process.”