New winter fuel payment laws show who is eligible and who will miss out
Briefly

The Independent seeks donations to fund journalists and maintains free access without paywalls, arguing quality journalism should be paid for by those who can afford it. The government has begun implementing new eligibility rules for the winter fuel payment after changes last year sparked outcry. Labour reversed a plan to restrict the payment, and this year pensioners earning 35,000 or less will receive support. Preliminary legislation confirms pensioners earning over 35,000 will be expected to repay the payment worth 200 or 300 through the tax system. Repayment will occur via HMRC changing tax codes or requiring self-assessment. The changes mean around 7.4 million more pensioners will receive the payment, while two million will miss out. The Social Security Advisory Committee criticised the complexity of the system and warned it could disadvantage vulnerable groups.
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