There has been a lot in the press recently about the decision to remove the automatic Winter Fuel Payment. The Government have confirmed that people over 65 who receive qualifying benefits will be eligible for the Warm Home Discount.  This is a £150 discount off your electricity bill, and it is paid directly to your electricity supplier. Your energy supplier must be part of the scheme for you to receive the discount, you can check online to see who is taking part. 

To receive the Winter Home Discount, you need to qualify which means for older people you receive Pension Credit. The Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. 

Visit www.gov.uk to see if you qualify. Should you be eligible for the Warm Home Discount you should receive the discount by 31st March 2025.

Removing the Winter Fuel Payment and replacing it with the Warm Home Discount was introduced as a means test to determine if an individual is eligible for government benefits, assistance or welfare. Many wealthy seniors received the Winter Fuel Payment which was not necessary. However, there are many seniors in our communities who have come to rely on this extra help in the winter, those who are neither very wealthy nor in need of Pension Credit. 

Recent research found that 45% of older people (7.4 million) were worried that they would not be able to sufficiently heat their home this winter.

Given the strength of concern and the fact that cold homes are linked to poorer health for older people Age UK have strongly opposed the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment as they believe it will leave millions of struggling pensioners without the money, they rely on to keep warm in winter. Despite the Government winning the vote to continue with the plan to remove the Winter Fuel Payment Age UK are continuing to campaign for every older person who needs the support. They launched a petition to support struggling pensioners and at the time of writing they were 100,000 signatures short of their 650,000 target. 

We have a free fact sheet available with tips and information on keeping warm at home in winter for older people. Please get in touch if you would like to receive a copy by email.

For more information about the Warm Home Discount 

call 0800 731 0160.