44,000 Terminally Ill Pensioners Lose Winter Fuel Payment Under UK Government Changes

• 44,000 terminally ill pensioners will lose their Winter Fuel Payment under new UK government eligibility criteria
• More than 1 in 5 of all people are dying in fuel poverty – including 110,000 pensioners
• 50% social tariff could lift as many as 54,000 (45%) dying people out of fuel poverty
• Support available including benefits calculator and dedicated Energy Support Officers

As many as 44,000 terminally ill pensioners across Great Britain will lose the Winter Fuel Payment, according to figures uncovered by end of life charity Marie Curie.
New government eligibility criteria states only those in receipt of means-tested benefits like Pension Credit are eligible for Winter Fuel Payment, which is worth up to £300.

These stark figures were obtained by an FOI requesting the number of people claiming multiple benefits under the government's Special Rules for Terminal Illness, against those not in receipt of Pension Credit.

Marie Curie's recent Dying in Poverty report, based on research by Loughborough University, also revealed a deeply concerning analysis of how many people are dying in fuel poverty - at least 128,000 each year. That's more than 1 in 5 of all people who die and includes 110,000 pensioners.

Marie Curie is calling for the UK Government to guarantee any person with a terminal illness, whether they are of pension age or working age, receives the Winter Fuel Payment, and to implement a social tariff to ease fuel poverty. Calculations show that a social tariff that halves energy bills could lift as many as 54,000 (45%) dying people out of fuel poverty.

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.

Dr 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. The government should urgently rethink this decision, and take further steps to support people at the end of life with energy costs, including by introducing a social tariff."

Helen van Bueren, 77, from Derbyshire, diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, is one of those who has lost her Winter Fuel Payment. She said:

"When the cold starts to creep in, my feet turn white, go numb and stop working completely. I can't feel anything. I fumble, I drop things and there are walking sticks scattered all over the house in case I fall.

"The cold is crippling. 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."

Since December 2022, Marie Curie has supported over 4,000 people with support and information around energy bills and the cost of living. The charity has a free online benefits calculator and dedicated Energy Support Officers who can talk through benefits and support available from energy suppliers, grants, and give energy efficiency updates.

This free service, funded by a partnership with the UK Gas Distribution Networks, has identified over £1.5 million worth of benefits for those in need. The partnership has also funded a fuel poverty awareness training programme. Over 1,000 Marie Curie staff and volunteers have been trained to identify people struggling with their energy bills, helping support people in communities across the UK.

Marie Curie Senior Nurse, Carol Elliott, often encounters people struggling with energy costs when visiting their homes. She said:

"Clean sheets, duvet covers and blankets make a person feel much more comfortable than soiled ones, and often a dying family member requires frequent bed linen changes. Families unable to afford heating or tumble drying, often resort to drying wet sheets and clothes indoors to try and keep their costs down. This has been shown to be a contributing factor in the development of indoor mould growth and can exacerbate respiratory issues.

"Oxygen concentrators run off the mains electricity and use a lot of power. If the power supply is interrupted the machine does have a small battery life but not for long. Having to live with breathlessness is more than enough to have to cope with, without the fear that your life sustaining oxygen supply may be stopped if you don't pay your energy bill.

"When supporting patients and families facing these issues, it's often difficult to broach the matter of fuel poverty at such a difficult time in their lives. Our nurses and healthcare assistants have been trained to spot signs that someone is struggling to heat their home and can offer them the support from our Energy Support Officers as well as our online benefits calculator. I can refer people into the service so easily myself, too. It's just a phone call away."

For support from Marie Curie, including the free benefits calculator or to speak to an Energy Support Officer, visit mariecurie.org.uk or call 0800 090 2309.

ENDS
Notes to editor:

For further information please contact the Marie Curie Press Office: media@mariecurie.org.uk / 0845 073 8699.

Marie Curie has calculated these figures based on national data provided by the Department of Work and Pensions under the Freedom of Information Act. A copy of the FOI response is available upon request.

Read the full Dying in Poverty 2024 report here: www.mariecurie.org.uk/policy/poverty

Please note: Marie Curie is no longer called Marie Curie Cancer Care.

About Marie Curie

• Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity.

• The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, we're with you to the end.

• If you're living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 or email support@mariecurie.org.uk

• Marie Curie have partnered with the UK Gas Distribution Networks to help give people with a terminal illness the support they need to cope with energy costs. Dedicated Energy Support Officers can provide information on support available from energy suppliers, grants and energy efficient updates. Visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/energy for more information.

Whatever the illness, wherever you are, Marie Curie is with you to the end.