Richmond Council steps in to help pensioners with winter fuel

Low-income pensioners in Richmond can be reassured that we will step in with financial support, as the government withdraws winter fuel payments for all but the very worst off.  

Leader of Richmond Council, Councillor Gareth Roberts said: "The government has drawn a line in the sand which has left some people facing a winter with unaffordable heating bills. This Council refuses to stand by and let our older residents suffer, so we are introducing a new winter fuel support payment to help those who will be worst off under the government’s new rules.”

Under the rules, only pensioners who receive Pension Credit will be eligible for the government’s annual winter fuel payment.

Councillor Roberts added: “For many years, long before the cost-of-living crisis, Richmond Council has gone above and beyond to support those on low incomes, not just pensioners, with their winter fuel bills through our Fuel Grants Scheme. Last year we helped 1,326 households through Fuel Grants and this year we are going a step further to help 900 pensioners with an extra £100 via our new top up payment.”

We will be offering £100 to all pensioners who receive a Council Tax Reduction, but who are not eligible for the government’s winter fuel payments. This is in addition to our Fuel Grant Scheme which is a payment of up to £170. Those eligible for the Government winter fuel payment can also apply for the Council’s Fuel Grant Scheme which will open for applications on 2 December 2024.

We are also running a targeted campaign to make sure all pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit are claiming it. Pension Credit could be worth on average £3,900 per year for those who are over the State Pension Age (66+ years). Claims can be backdated by up to three months, with the latest date to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment being 21 December 2024.

Check what you can apply for

If you are a resident over the State Pension Age (66+ years) with a weekly income less than £218.15 if you’re single and £332.95 if you have a partner - you can apply for:

• Government Pension Credit of around £3,900 per year - you can apply at any time
• Government Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300 - to receive this payment, eligible residents must apply for Pension Credit before 21 December 2024

If you are a resident over the State Pension Age (66+ years) who receives Council Tax Reduction, but are not eligible for Government Pension Credit - you can apply for:

• Richmond Council Winter Fuel Top Up Payment of £100 - we will contact eligible residents in due course 

Any household with a low income and in receipt of Council Tax Reduction can apply for:

• Richmond Council Fuel Grant Scheme of £170 - Applications will open 2 December 2024 until 17 January 2025. Payments should be paid in February 

Cost of living support

Support with the cost of living is available in Richmond. Residents can visit the Richmond Cost of Living Hub for the latest information on what is available nationally and locally as well as details of the borough’s network of Community Spaces and free support calculator. Residents can also sign up to receive cost of living support updates straight to their inbox.    

This additional payment will be funded by our Household Support Fund allocation, which is given to all councils by the government to help support residents through the cost-of-living crisis.