10 million pensioners missed out on the winter gas fee just lately because the Chancellor had restricted it to these receiving Pension Credit score or comparable funds.
Nevertheless, she was compelled to alter the coverage because 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 Assessment speech in Manchester the place she introduced transport tasks for the North and Midlands, Reeves confirmed that the coverage can be eased in time for pensioners to obtain the funds this winter.
She mentioned: “We have now listened to the considerations that folks had concerning the stage of the means take a look at, and so we will probably be making adjustments 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 individuals must be in little doubt that the means take a look at will enhance and extra individuals will get a winter gas fee this winter.”
It’s unknown what number of extra pensioners will obtain the fee this 12 months, however it’s anticipated to be within the tens of millions.
Right here’s what you might want to know concerning the winter gas fee.
What’s the winter gas fee?
The winter gas fee is a tax-free annual fee the Authorities gives to assist older individuals with their heating prices in the course of the winter.
Who’s eligible for winter gas fee?
The quantity obtained will depend on age and dwelling state of affairs. For instance:
At present, solely pensioners receiving different advantages similar to common credit score or pension credit score qualify for the winter gas fee.
Many have argued that pensioners solely obtain pension credit score if their annual earnings is beneath £11,336.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said restricting the winter fuel payment to these on pension credit score was “reckless and mistaken” and “spells catastrophe for pensioners on low and modest incomes”.
Age UK mentioned it could battle the choice and had launched a petition, which over 650,000 individuals signed.
Scotland not gives the common winter gas 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 individuals obtain their winter gas fee?
You’ll get a letter telling you:
- How a lot you’ll get
- The checking account will probably be paid into — normally the identical one as your pension credit score or different advantages.
Easy methods to apply when you assume try to be eligible for the winter gas fee
In case you assume try to be eligible for the winter gas fee however haven’t obtained it robotically, you’ll be able to apply by following these steps:
- Examine 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 telephone or publish: By telephone: Name the Winter Gas Cost Centre. The telephone 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 handle supplied on the shape.
- Submit your declare: Ensure to submit your declare by the deadline, normally across the finish of March for that winter season.
When was the winter gas allowance launched?
The Labour authorities of Tony Blair launched the fee in 1997 to deal with gas poverty amongst older individuals. The aim was to offer monetary assist to assist pensioners with the prices of heating their houses in the course of the chilly winter months.
The fee was £20 (or £50 for these in receipt of means-tested advantages).
