The Department for Work and Pensions is urging pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit in order to secure this year’s Winter Fuel Payment.
It comes as the government has had to make some difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy due to the dire state of the public finances, with the Winter Fuel Payment – worth up to £300 – set to be means-tested and delivered to those on Pension Credit to ensure it is targeted towards those in most need.
Around 1.3 million households in England and Wales will continue to receive Winter Fuel Payments, but the government is determined to boost take-up of Pension Credit to ensure low-income pensioners continue to get this help.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Work and Pensions Secretary are writing to Local Authorities and will join forces with them, older peoples’ charities, and other groups this September for its annual Pension Credit Week of Action.
The government’s Pension Credit awareness drive will help identify households not claiming the benefit, and encourage pensioners to apply by 21st December, the last date for making a backdated claim for Pension Credit, in order to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
While around 1.4 million pensioners are already receiving Pension Credit there are up to an estimated 880,000 households eligible for the support who are yet to claim. Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall said:
“The £22 billion black hole in the public finances we have inherited has required us to take difficult decisions, but I am determined to ensure low-income pensioners are supported.
That’s why I urge any pensioner, or their loved ones, to check if they could get Pension Credit.
This government remains completely committed to pensioners which is why we’re protecting the income of over 12 million pensioners through the Triple Lock.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said:
“The dire state of the public finances we inherited from the previous government means we’ve had to make some very difficult decisions.
Our commitment to supporting pensioners remains, which is why we are maintaining the triple lock.
We want pensioners to get the support they are entitled to. That’s why I urge all pensioners to check whether they are eligible for Pension Credit.”
During the Week of Action, set to commence in September, the DWP and its partners will be tackling some of the myths that may stop people applying, such as how having savings, a pension or owning a home are not necessarily barriers to receiving Pension Credit.
