A Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) loophole can be utilised by older UK households ahead of the Labour Party u-turn.
A little-known Winter Fuel Payment loophole means thousands can still claim £300 despite not getting Pension Credit. A Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) loophole can be utilised by older UK households ahead of the Labour Party u-turn.
Sir Keir Starmer’s reversal of the Winter Fuel Payment cut was announced in the Commons on Wednesday, bringing hope to millions. But ahead of the reinstatement of the Winter Fuel Allowance, eligibility means you’ll need to have an active claim for one of the qualifying benefits during a specific week.
Helpfully, claims can be backdated by one to three months, depending on the benefit. If you’re over the state pension age but your partner isn’t, you can’t apply for Pension Credit.
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But couples in this situation may be able to claim Universal Credit, which makes them eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. Responding to the reversal, one social media user wrote: “Restore the WFA, drop the latest PIP changes, extend the child benefit beyond 2 children and then for goodness sake will someone in government deal with the elephant in the room, social care.”
A second said: “It really has come to something, hasn’t it Jon Trickett, that the British public are having to educate a Labour Prime Minister on what constitutes poverty in the UK.
“That Keir Starmer is seemingly incapable of recognising this, is incapable of working this out for himself. The Winter Fuel Allowance was £200 in 2000/01. It is still £200 today, 25 years later. Whilst UK state pension value is by far the lowest in developed European countries
“That in the UK we pay amongst the highest energy costs of developed nations. That our energy costs have more than doubled since 2021/22. That we are still living in a cost of living crisis.
“That the Conservatives acknowledged this and gave 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. Additional “Pensioner Cost of Living Payments” of £150 or £300 alongside the regular Winter Fuel Payment.’ But no .. Keir Starmer the British Labour Prime Minister sees no poverty, hears no poverty, speaks not of poverty.
“Whilst he, Starmer, penalises economically vulnerable pensioners, and economically vulnerable disabled people receiving PIP, and sick people receiving the Health Element of Universal Credit.
“This beggars belief. .. There simply are no words to describe how concerning, how frighteningly scary Keir Starmers lack of insight is.”
