Fuel payment eligibility 'double-edged sword'

A charitable organisation that collects and redistributes unneeded winter fuel payments has said changes to eligibility will make its job harder.

Hampshire-based Fleet Lions said the changes are a "double-edged sword" that will cut the number of donations they receive as well as meaning more people will need to come to them for financial support.

Treasurer Laura Roberts said the changes would be an "absolute nightmare".

A government spokesperson said it was "right" the payment was "targeted at those in most need".

In Fleet Lions' Fuel and Utilities Project, people who are able to forego their annual Winter Fuel Allowance donate it to a fund that is then used to pay charges for local families in debt to their energy supplier or water company, via Citizens Advice or a foodbank.

In July, the government announced those not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits would no longer receive the payment, worth between £100 and £300.

Ms Roberts said the change was going to be an "absolute nightmare".

"We're going to have people who used to help us help other people, we're now going to have more people coming to us for help in the first place," she said.

She said the changes would "double hammer" them.

"We lose that fund, but we'll have more people hitting the line [who] need support," she said.

A government spokesperson said it was "committed" to helping pensioners but "given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, this government must take difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy".

"In these circumstances it is right that Winter Fuel Payments are targeted at those in most need," they said.

"We will work with local authorities to boost the uptake of Pension Credit, reaching the many pensioners who could still benefit from this year's Winter Fuel Payments."

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240.