DWP tells pensioners they could be made to repay £300 unless they do three things

The Winter Fuel Payment is set to undergo means-testing, with the change set to take effect from November. Brits are being warned that they may have to pay the cash back if they fail to do three things

Brits are being alerted that they could be required to repay £300 unless they comply with one of three specific actions. This development follows changes made to the winter fuel payment scheme.

The subsidy, once a universal benefit, will now be subject to means testing. The shift has put Labour in the spotlight after confirming the change earlier this year.

In July, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the allowance would be restricted to those receiving means-tested benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), including Pension Credit recipients. The move leaves many state pension-age individuals, already grappling with the cost-of-living increases and spiralling energy bills, at a disadvantage.

Pensioners are now being cautioned about the possibility of repaying the money, and UK residents are encouraged to inform the DWP of any circumstance changes to avoid repayment issues.

Pensioners have been warned that they face having to pay the money back if:

• they do not report a change in circumstance
• they provide incorrect information
• they are overpaid by DWP.

To report changes, pensioners can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160 or, for those residing outside the UK, via the DWP helpline at +44 (0)191 218 7777.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, recently commented on the situation: "If [Labour] is dead set on pressing ahead, the very least they should do is to greatly expand the numbers of pensioners who will receive a WFP beyond the small group they have so far said will retain it.", reports Birmingham Live.

"They could achieve this in part by automatically giving the Payment to pensioners on other benefits, such as Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Personal Independence Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carers Allowance."

"Even this would not be enough though because many pensioners on low incomes or in vulnerable circumstances would still miss out on a WFP when they can ill afford to do so."