Thu, 23 Jan 2025

'I got a credit card as I lost winter fuel payment'

Pensioners who lost winter fuel money after government changes tell the BBC the last few months have been a struggle.
11 million pensioners have lost their winter fuel payments, worth up to £300, due to a change in government policy that means-tested the benefit. Many are struggling to cope with the loss, including 66-year-old Sandra from County Durham, who had to take out credit cards and overdrafts to pay for heating this winter. "I'm paying off my credit card account month by month," she said, "It's a direct result of losing the winter fuel allowance. Psychologically, it makes you feel a bit of a failure." The government has been criticized for its decision to restrict the winter fuel payment to those who qualify for pension credit and other means-tested benefits. According to Age UK, charity advice calls have increased by 60% during the worst of the cold snap, with many pensioners struggling to heat their homes. The charity says that even though the deadline to claim pension credit has passed, it is still seeing enquiries about benefit checks due to concern about meeting living costs. In some areas, pensioners are being left without any support at all. In Cumbria, neighbors Rosemary and Marjorie, both 92, have been struggling to heat their homes after losing their winter fuel allowance. "It's a lot of money to lose," said Rosemary, "It makes a big difference." The government has announced that it is committed to supporting pensioners and has set out plans to increase state pensions in April. However, some areas are already showing signs of struggling with financial resilience, including Hull, which has been ranked at the bottom of a report on this issue. Free heated blankets, smart plugs, and hand warmers are being handed out to vulnerable communities as part of a pilot programme, but it is unclear how much impact this will have in the long term.
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