The new payment comes as part of the Winter Emergency Fund which London’s Tower Hamlets Council has introduced as part of their Household Support Fund scheme
Thousands of pensioners who lost their Winter Fuel Payment this year will be getting a £175 payment through a new winter grant scheme.
The new payment comes as part of the Winter Emergency Fund which London’s Tower Hamlets Council has introduced as part of their Household Support Fund scheme. This scheme – which is funded by the government – gives pots of cash to local authorities which they then use to provide cost of living support to people living in those areas.
Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman called a council meeting earlier this month to address the potential support the council could offer pensioners who lost their eligibility for the Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP)Winter Fuel Payment which is worth between £200 and £300.
Earlier this year, the government means-tested the support, which means only 1.5 million will be eligible for it this year, compared to 11.4 million in 2023 when it was available to anyone over the age of 66 regardless of financial situation. Tower Hamlets will identify those who are eligible for the £175 payment and will pay them automatically over the coming few weeks.
Alongside this, Tower Hamlets council will also be working to increase the uptake of Pension Credit among the 4,500 estimated to be eligible to claim in the London borough but are not. Brits have until December 21 to make an application for Pension Credit. This is a DWP benefit for low-income pensioners and if you are successful, then you will be eligible for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment alongside other things such as council tax reductions, a free TV licence and help with dental costs.
You may be eligible for Pension Credit if you are over the state pension age of 66 and your income is less than £218.15 per week if you are single or £332.95 if you are a couple. You can apply for Pension Credit online on the Government’s website website, by calling 0800 99 1234, or by printing out and filling in a paper application form. You can contact Tower Hamlets council for help with your application for the benefit.
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: “Making the Winter Fuel payment means-tested will have a detrimental effect on pensioners who are already facing the rising costs of energy bills. This creates a risk that pensioners will not turn their heating on for fear of not being able to pay the bills, which is wrong. This is why we are stepping in and providing a £175 safety net for those who will be missing out.”
Cllr Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living added: “I would firstly encourage all those who are over the age of 66 to claim Pension Credit as it may give you extra income to which you could be entitled, and it can open doors to other benefits such as support with housing costs, Council Tax and heating bills. Our popular Warm Hubs will also return this winter to provide a safe space for residents to have a hot drink and access support, or just read a book and socialise.”
You cannot get this support if you do not live in Tower Hamlets. However, your local council will have its own Household Support Scheme you can access. You should keep an eye out for any updates on the schemes on your local authority’s website.
