How much is the winter fuel payment and who can still get it?

More than ten million pensioners are not receiving the 2024 winter fuel payment, after the government changed the rules.

The payments are going to only those already receiving pension credit or other means-tested help.

As a result of the policy, an extra 50,000 pensioners will be living in poverty by the end of March 2025, the government's own estimates suggest.

What is the winter fuel payment and how have the rules changed?

The winter fuel payment was previously paid to all pensioners to help with energy bills during the coldest part of the year.

But in July, the government said future payments would go only to those on low incomes who received certain benefits such as pension credit.

The changes mean that more than 10 million pensioners will not receive a payment for winter 2024.

Several charities, unions and MPs criticised the decision to means-test the payment.

They are concerned about the number of older people on a relatively small income who will miss out, especially those who do not currently claim pension credit despite qualifying for it.

To address this issue, the government says it has written to 120,000 pensioners, encouraging them to apply.

The decision covers only England and Wales - but Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said funding constraints meant Stormont would have to follow suit.

He later said affected pensioners would receive of one-off payment of £100 to help with heating costs.

The Scottish government also said it would end pensioners' universal entitlement to the payment.

It had been due to introduce a replacement benefit in April but has pushed those plans back until late 2025.

How much is the winter fuel payment and when is it paid?

The winter fuel payment is worth £200 for those on certain benefits and born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1958.

For those born before 23 September 1944, and on certain benefits, it is worth £300.

If you live with someone, and jointly claim benefits, only one of the couple receives the payment.

It is usually paid automatically in November or December. Those eligible will receive a letter confirming their entitlement.

How is the winter fuel payment now linked to pension credit?

Although it will be paid automatically without a direct claim, the vast majority of those eligible will only receive winter fuel payments if they have first registered to receive pension credit.

This is a state pension top-up, which itself is worth thousands of pounds a year - but an estimated 880,000 eligible pensioners fail to claim it.

You could be eligible for pension credit if you are above state pension age and have an income of less that £218.15 a week, or less than £332.95 as a joint weekly income with your partner. Savings are also taken into account.

Anyone entitled to pension credit for at least one day between 16 and 22 September 2024 will receive the winter fuel payment.

Disabled people, those caring for someone, or with housing costs could still be eligible even if they have more income or savings.

You can check your eligibility for pension credit via the government's online calculator.

Information is also available on how to make a claim and a phone line is available on weekdays - 0800 99 1234.

The final date for making a backdated claim for pension credit - to make sure you can receive the 2024 winter fuel payment - is 21 December.

What will the change mean for the poorest pensioners?

The government estimates 1.9 million pensioners - about 15% - already live in relative poverty.

This means their income is less than 60% of the median.

The median income is the amount of money that divides a population into two, with half above and half below.

In November, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed government expected significantly more pensioners to be in relative poverty due to the new rules:

• an extra 50,000 in the years ending March 2025, March 2026 and March 2028

• an extra 100,000 in the years ending March 2027, March 2029 and March 2030

The annual figures are rounded to the nearest 50,000 and do not take into account any increase in the take-up of pension credit.

Writing to MPs on the Work and Pensions Select Committee, Ms Kendall said means-testing winter fuel payments "was not a decision this government wanted or expected to take" but it was "right that we target support to those who need it most".

Asked about the figures, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said many pensioners would be better off from April 2025, when both the state pension and pension credit will increase by 4.1% in April 2025, under "the triple lock" arrangement.

What else do I get with pension credit?

The Department for Work and Pensions says that pension credit is worth on average more than £3,900 a year in itself. The amount received depends on a variety of factors.

Importantly, it is also a gateway to other financial support, on top of winter fuel payments.

This may include a reduction in council tax, a free TV licence when aged over 75, or help with NHS costs - most of which require separate applications.

Charities can help people apply.

How to check if you can claim a benefit

• There is a guide to benefits, how to qualify and what to do if something goes wrong, provided by the independent MoneyHelper website, backed by government

• Benefits calculators are also run by Policy in Practice and charities Entitledto and Turn2us

You can read more Cost of Living stories here.