State pensioners slam DWP over new update on £300 Winter Fuel Payment

Elderly people have slammed the DWP over the eligibility shake up and criteria changes under the new Labour Party government.

Pensions have slammed a Winter Fuel Allowance update from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Elderly people have slammed the DWP over the eligibility shake up and criteria changes under the new Labour Party government.

Age UK estimates that 2.5million pensioners 'who badly need the money to stay warm this winter' will not receive it and be in 'serious trouble'. Some pensioners have taken to social media to vent their frustration and anger at the Labour Party.

One said: "Starmer OUT and any MPs who voted for the winter fuel payment getting taken away this party just seems to go after the elderly and vulnerable sick people SHAMEFUL'" Another said: "How did you vote on the winter fuel payment?...

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"Oh that's right you voted to freeze the elderly!" A spokesperson for the End Fuel Poverty Coalition said: "We're now heading into the fourth winter of sky high energy prices, meaning the average household will have paid more than £2,500 extra for their energy than had we not been so exposed to volatile energy markets.

"For older people who previously received the winter fuel payment, but will no longer do so under the Chancellor's new rules, the situation is even worse." Jan Shortt, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention, said: "The loss of the winter fuel allowance for the majority of older people clearly puts them at risk.

"It is a known fact that older people require warmth and a stable temperature to maintain their health. Living in cold, damp homes heightens the risk of strokes, heart disease, respiratory conditions and generally harms the rest of the body."

Another fumed: "The simple way to give this to those who need it most is to add it to the state pension (and, unlikely, make it part of triple lock) but then tax it. Thus non tax payers get it all, and the rest have their standard rate of tax deducted. Of course, any simple solution is never implemented by civil servants who just enjoy complicating things ( because they can).

"There is no perfect solution, as the 45% tax payers still get over half, but it is fairer and means a lot less form filling for the aged (many who probably have no access to internet)."