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# Thousands of Ipswich pensioners set to lose winter fuel support this year
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/thousands-of-ipswich-pensioners-set-to-lose-winter-fuel-support-this-year/
- Published: 2024-10-01T08:11:14.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:34:06.000Z
- Description: The number of Ipswich pensioners getting government help to heat their homes increased in 2023-24, but upcoming changes will leave many elderly people struggling this winter.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, #article, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**The big picture:** 21,865 pensioners in Ipswich received winter fuel payments in 2023-24, up from 21,544 the previous year. However, new eligibility criteria mean millions across the UK will lose this support—thousands in Ipswich.

![An elderly lady turning up the heating](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1727770069-old-person-thermostat-7.jpg)

Nearly 20,000 elderly people in Ipswich could lose their winter fuel payments Photo: ImageegamI (Getty Images)

**By the numbers:**

- 21,865 pensioners in Ipswich received winter fuel payments in 2023-24.
- That's 321 more Ipswich pensioners received payments compared to 2022-23.
- 2,667 pensioners in Ipswich currently receive pension credit and will still qualify, implying that nearly 20,000 will go without.
- Across Great Britain, 11.6 million elderly people in 8.5 million households received payments last winter.

**Why it matters:** Charities warn that cutting eligibility could leave many elderly people in dangerously cold homes this winter, particularly those living alone or with disabilities.

**What they're saying:** Simon Francis of End Fuel Poverty Coalition said: "1.2 million pensioners in absolute poverty and 1.6 million disabled pensioners will no longer receive a winter fuel payment."

Peter Smith of National Energy Action added: "People over the age of 80 are particularly susceptible to the health issues caused and exacerbated by cold homes."

**The other side:** A government spokesperson said over a million pensioners will still receive the payment, and pointed to other support measures like the warm home discount and [Household Support Fund](https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/community-and-safety/communities/healthier/cost-of-living-support/household-support-fund?ref=ipswich.co.uk).

**What's next:** Charities are calling for additional support in the upcoming Budget, particularly through existing schemes like the warm homes discount.

### Sources

- [Winter Fuel Payment statistics for winter 2023 to 2024](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/winter-fuel-payment-statistics-for-winter-2023-to-2024?ref=ipswich.co.uk)

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