Winter Fuel Payment: Pensioners express anger with government
More than 40,000 terminally ill pensioners have lost their Winter Fuel Payments ahead of what might be their last Christmas, according to a leading charity.
Figures obtained via a Freedom of Information request by charity Marie Curie show an estimated 44,000 retired people in critical condition will lose the payment, which is worth up to £300.
Marie Curie is now calling on the Government to guarantee that any person with a terminal illness, whether they are of pension or working age, receives the allowance.
The charity, along with other campaigners and some energy retailers, are also calling for the introduction of a cheaper social tariff for gas and electricity to protect those on low incomes from going cold, potentially making existing health conditions worse.
The removal of the Winter Fuel Payment has triggered warnings that thousands of old and sick people could die this winter as a result of conditions made worse by the cold. This pattern of so-called “excess deaths” is seen every winter.
Energy costs can double for those with a terminal illness, due to the need to constantly heat homes to provide relief from pain, washing and drying clothes, and to charge and run life-sustaining medical devices.
Sam Royston, executive director for policy and research at Marie Curie, said: “For people who claim benefits under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness, this may very well be their last winter and Christmas. We know that energy costs can increase dramatically after a terminal diagnosis, yet the decision to restrict the winter fuel payment only to people receiving means-tested benefits takes no account of this.
“The festive season is meant to be one of warmth, joy and celebration. No one should have to face their final days worrying about money or whether they can afford to heat their home or even switch on Christmas lights.”
Helen van Bueren, 77, from Derbyshire, diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer, is one of those who has lost her winter fuel payment and described the cold as “crippling”.
Ms van Bueren told the Telegraph: “It seeps into your bones and sits there. It consumes you. With each year that passes, I feel myself fading a little more. I’m just over the limit for pension credit so I won’t get my winter fuel allowance anymore and I do wonder if I will see the other side of this winter.”
Critics warned that the NHS, which experienced an acute winter crisis last year as a result of strikes and missed targets, could be overwhelmed by pensioners suffering with conditions made worse by the cold.
Sue Hogston, head of nursing and quality at Marie Curie Bradford Hospice, said: “National research shows that living in a cold environment enhances your chance of respiratory illness and living in damp does the same. Living in a cold house impacts your cardio vascular system, so we know the cold impacts hospital admissions.
“It also impacts people’s mental health and that becomes a dignity issue. If you are worried about heating your home and you have a terminal illness that really impacts your wellbeing and your mental health. People with terminal illness deserve dignity.”
Ms Hogston added that anyone with concerns can use the Marie Curie online benefits calculator to see if they are entitled to more help or speak to one of their energy support officers one-on-one.
Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK said: “The Government’s policy change is already causing older people hardship and undermining their health and, as we get deeper into winter, realistically things are likely to get worse.
“Once again, we repeat our call to the Government to recognise the damage their decision to brutally means-test Winter Fuel Payment is causing millions of older people and to bring in measures to soften the blow.
The removal of the Winter Fuel Payment has triggered warnings (Image: Getty)
“We note that Labour in Scotland has already pledged to reintroduce the Payment as a universal entitlement if they win office in 2026, and that the Government in Northern Ireland has decided to give every pensioner losing a WFP £100 this winter to help them with their energy bills. When will the Westminster Government face up to the fact that older people are in similar need in England and Wales as well?”
Helen Whately, shadow work and pensions secretary said: “This warning is yet more evidence that it is the most vulnerable who will suffer as a result of Labour’s political choice to cut the winter fuel payment and plunge 100,000 pensioners into poverty.
“As the grim outcome of Labour’s decisions become clearer, we will continue to hold them to account for failing to support those who need it most.”
A government spokesman said: “No one should suffer financial hardship because of a health condition – that’s why special rules are in place to ensure those nearing the end of their life get faster, easier access to certain benefits, in most cases at the highest rate.
“We are committed to supporting pensioners, with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,900 this parliament. Over a million pensioners will still receive a Winter Fuel Payment, and many others will also benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments this winter, while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”