10 million pensioners missed out on the winter gas cost just lately because the Chancellor had restricted it to these receiving Pension Credit score or comparable funds.
Nevertheless, she was compelled to vary the coverage because of backlash from voters, Labour MPs and activists, together with on the Might 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 Evaluation speech in Manchester the place she introduced transport initiatives for the North and Midlands, Reeves confirmed that the coverage could be eased in time for pensioners to obtain the funds this winter.
She stated: “We’ve got listened to the considerations that individuals had concerning the degree of the means take a look at, and so we can 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 presumably can. However individuals needs to be in little question that the means take a look at will improve and extra individuals will get a winter gas cost this winter.”
It’s unknown what number of extra pensioners will obtain the cost this yr, however it’s anticipated to be within the hundreds of thousands.
Right here’s what that you must know concerning the winter gas cost.
What’s the winter gas cost?
The winter gas cost is a tax-free annual cost the Authorities gives to assist older individuals with their heating prices in the course of the winter.
Who’s eligible for winter gas cost?
The quantity obtained relies on age and residing scenario. For instance:
Presently, solely pensioners receiving different advantages equivalent to common credit score or pension credit score qualify for the winter gas cost.
Many have argued that pensioners solely obtain pension credit score if their annual revenue 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 stated it will battle the choice and had launched a petition, which over 650,000 individuals signed.
Scotland not gives the common winter gas cost for all pensioners. As a substitute, the Scottish authorities has launched the winter heating cost, an annual allowance of £58.75 for these receiving sure advantages.
When will eligible individuals obtain their winter gas cost?
You’ll get a letter telling you:
- How a lot you’ll get
- The checking account will probably be paid into — often the identical one as your pension credit score or different advantages.
apply for those who assume you ought to be eligible for the winter gas cost
When you assume you ought to be eligible for the winter gas cost however haven’t obtained it robotically, you may apply by following these steps:
- Examine eligibility: Make sure you meet the eligibility standards talked about above.
- Collect data: Have your Nationwide Insurance coverage quantity, financial institution or constructing society particulars, and the date you had been married or entered right into a civil partnership (if relevant) prepared.
- Apply by cellphone or publish: By cellphone: Name the Winter Gas Cost Centre. The cellphone quantity may 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 offered on the shape.
- Submit your declare: Make certain to submit your declare by the deadline, often across the finish of March for that winter season.
When was the winter gas allowance launched?
The Labour authorities of Tony Blair launched the cost in 1997 to deal with gas poverty amongst older individuals. The purpose was to supply monetary assist to assist pensioners with the prices of heating their houses in the course of the chilly winter months.
The cost was £20 (or £50 for these in receipt of means-tested advantages).
