Revealed: Winter Fuel Payment axe leaves vulnerable pensioners TERRIFIED of heating their homes – ‘I only get out of bed to eat’
Pensioners have said they will be forced to choose between having hot meals and heating their homes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the winter fuel allowance would be limited, a new survey has revealed.
The impact on vulnerable elderly people is stark, with more than half saying they would need to reduce their heating use at home.
More than three-quarters of pensioners spent their winter fuel payments on essential energy costs last year, according to Age UK, as the Government moves to restrict the vital support to only those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits.
The payments, which helped 77 per cent of elderly people cover heating, hot water and household appliance costs, will see recipient numbers plummet from 11.4 million to 1.5 million.
Age UK’s research shows that over a third of older people will struggle financially without the payment.
One in ten pensioners reported they would have to cut back on hot meals to cope without the payment, according to the Kantar survey of more than 1,000 people aged 66-plus in September.
The situation is particularly concerning for those receiving other benefits but no longer eligible for winter fuel payments, with 53 per cent saying they would struggle financially.
Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of pensioners previously used their winter fuel payment specifically for cooking meals.
The dramatic reduction comes as part of measures announced by Reeves to address public finance shortfalls.
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The changes are set to affect millions of elderly people, with Age UK warning of difficult choices ahead between heating and essential needs.
“We try and only use one hour of heating a day,” one 81-year-old man told the charity.
An 87-year-old man revealed: “I will have to stay in bed longer and only get up to eat.”
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “It’s no surprise to us at Age UK, and it really shouldn’t be to anyone else either, that the great majority of older people spent their winter fuel payment on energy-related costs last year.”
“With fuel prices having gone up so much compared to five or 10 years ago, even older people who expected to be relatively comfortable in retirement have been impacted and forced to tighten their belts.”
A Government spokesperson defended their position, stating: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.”
Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, with pension credit claims seeing a 152 per cent increase.
The Government highlighted additional support measures including the £150 warm home discount and cold weather payments.
The Household Support Fund has been extended to help struggling households with bills and essential costs over winter, with Age UK urging those affected to contact their local council for potential support.