State pensioners have been dealt another crushing financial blow this winter after being told they will not get a £150 payment which was paid for the previous two years.
As well as losing the £300 Winter Fuel Payment, state pensioners will also not receive a £150 Cost of Living payment from the DWP this winter, meaning many will find themselves with £450 less in their bank accounts this winter.
Cost of Living payments were paid out to people on various benefits in 2022 and 2023.
The last payment was paid out between February 6 and 22 2024 and the previous payment which was handed out was £300 between October 31 and November 19, 2023.
As well as PIP claimants and those on Universal Credit, state pensioners were paid the money.
But this winter, no such payments will be forthcoming after the DWP chose not to renew the scheme for financial year 2024-25.
Age UK said it has published its own Equality Impact Assessment of the Government’s cut to eligibility for the winter fuel payment, as it called on the Government to take action in the Budget “to avert a potential disaster for many pensioners this winter”.
According to the Government’s own equality analysis, an estimated 780,000 pensioners still eligible to receive the winter fuel payment will lose it under planned cuts.
In a document last month, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) also said that more than two thirds – around 71% – of those with a disability and 83% of those aged 80 or over would miss out.
A government spokesman said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the Triple Lock.
“Over a million pensioners will still receive the Winter Fuel Payment, and our drive to boost Pension Credit take up has already seen a 152% increase in claims. Many others will also benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount to help with energy bills over winter while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”
