Most pensioners need their winter fuel payments to cover energy bills, charity warns

Three quarters of pensioners spent their winter fuel payment last year on costs such as heating, hot water and appliances, new research reveals.

The payments, valued at between £100 and £300 a year, are now means-tested, sparking a widespread campaign urging older people who qualify for the pension credit to apply by December 21 to time to preserve them.

Age UK has found that before the new rules, 77 per cent of people aged 66 and over – the equivalent of 9.2 million pensioners – used the money to cover household fuel bills.

The charity’s survey of pensioners found:

– A quarter of older people, equivalent to 3 million, spent the payment on hot water

– Almost the same amount was spent on cooking meals and one in five on operating appliances such as washing machines.

– A fifth of the poorest older people used their Winter Fuel Payment to buy food.

Apply for pension credit – find out how to top up your weekly income below

Age UK asked pensioners how they would cope with their energy bills this winter.

-55 percent, equivalent to 6.6 million people aged 66 or older, said they would have to turn down the heat or reduce the hours of use.

– This figure increases to 63 percent among the poorest pensioners, those from the three most disadvantaged social and economic groups (known as C2DE).

– About 25 percent, or 3 million pensioners in total, said they would have to reduce the duration or number of baths or showers they take.

– And 10 percent, equivalent to 1.2 million in total, aimed at reducing the number of hot meals they consume.

– This figure increases to 15 percent among the poorest pensioners.

Age UK surveyed 1,034 people aged 66 and over, drawn from a broader group aged 50 and over weighted to be nationally representative of this cohort of the UK population in terms of age, sex, ethnicity, grade social and region.

Caroline Abrahams, the organisation’s charity director, says: “It is no surprise to us at Age UK, and nor should it be to anyone else, that the vast majority of older people spent their winter fuel payment on costs related to energy last year. year.

‘As fuel prices have risen so much compared to five or ten years ago, even older people who expected to be relatively comfortable in their retirement have been affected and forced to tighten their belts.

“And for those who don’t have a lot of money behind them, energy bills have become a source of real fear.”

“Knowing they would receive their Winter Fuel Payment took away some of the anxiety about unaffordable fuel bills and, as a result, this universal right was highly valued by pensioners.”

Abrahams warns that the policy change is already causing hardship for older people and undermining their health, and that things are likely to get worse this winter.

“Once again, we repeat our call on the Government to recognize the damage that its decision to brutally strain the financial means of winter fuel payments is causing millions of older people and to take steps to soften the blow.”

Age UK says the Labor Party in Scotland has committed to reintroducing the Winter Fuel Payment as a universal entitlement if they win office in 2026.

Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland government is giving every pensioner who misses out on the payment £100 this winter to help with energy bills, but older people have similar needs in England and Wales, he adds.

Probate star Brian Cox is currently leading a celebrity campaign urging struggling pensioners to claim pension credit, which boosts weekly income to a minimum of £218.15 for singles and £332.95 for couples .

Cox will be joined by film and TV actress Jane Asher and Sue Holderness, who played Marlene in the comedy Only Fools and Horses, in the initiative by national charity Independent Age.

If you submit a successful pension credit application before the December 21 deadline, your payments will be backdated by up to three months and you will qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.

According to recent research by Royal London, one in six pensioners would be embarrassed to tell their family that they are applying for pension credit to supplement their income.

It found that among older people who discovered they qualify for pension credit, 11 per cent have not yet applied for it and only 2 per cent intend to do so in time to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

Royal London, which is running its own campaign under the banner Take The Credit, surveyed more than 1,200 people aged 66 and over from all regions of the UK over the past month about their attitudes towards pension credit and other issues. .

The company said: ‘We need to spread the message that there is no shame in accepting the help available.

“These have been difficult times in recent years so it is important that we come together and encourage pensioners, whether they are family, friends or neighbours, to explore all the support options that may be available.”

How to apply for pension credit and where to get help with claims

If you are an older person and not well off, the pension credit tops up your weekly earnings up to a minimum of £218.15 for singles and £332.95 for couples.

On average, it’s worth around £4,000 a year on its own, but pension credit also opens the door to lots of extra help with household bills.

Plus you could win thousands of pounds including help with housing costs, heating, council tax, TV licenses if you’re over 75 and other bills.

Learn more about pension credit here and about him rules about who is eligible here.

You can apply by phone at 0800 99 1234say online pension credit either Get a form to do it by mail.

A friend or family member can apply on behalf of an older person.

In Scotland, a new winter heating payment for retirement age will eventually replace the winter fuel payment.

But for this winter, eligible people over state pension age will receive a payment in line with the Winter Fuel Payment, and this will be means-tested. Check here if you live in Scotland and here for Northern Ireland.

Age UK staff provide help with applications. Any senior who is struggling with bills, or friends and family who are worried about them, can call 0800 169 6565.

This line is open every day of the year from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., or you can visit Age UK help page here.

It also has a free and anonymous profit calculator which can provide you with an estimate of what you might be entitled to if you wish to know this information privately.

Age UK points out that the Household support fund has been expanded to help struggling households with bills and essential costs during the winter.

The money should be reserved specifically for older people, so they should contact their local council to see if they are entitled to any support.

Independent Age, a charity focused on improving the lives of older people in financial difficulty, offers help on its freephone line 0800 319 6789.

The charity’s advisers carry out welfare checks to ensure callers have access to all available support, including pension credit and winter fuel payment.

What does the Government say?

“We are committed to supporting pensioners – millions of people will see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 in this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock,” says a Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson.

‘More than a million pensioners will continue to receive their winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost the uptake of pension credits has already seen a 152 per cent increase in applications.

“Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount and cold weather payments this winter, while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”