The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has launched a campaign to encourage low-income pensioners to claim Pension Credit, which now determines eligibility for the winter fuel payment worth up to £300. The move follows the government's decision to scrap universal winter fuel payments, limiting them to those receiving means-tested benefits.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the change last month, citing a £22 billion black hole in public finances left by the previous government. The decision has sparked warnings that hundreds of thousands of pensioners could miss out on the payment if they do not claim Pension Credit.
According to the DWP, around 1.4 million older people already receive Pension Credit, which provides support worth nearly £4,000 per year for housing costs, council tax, and heating. However, an estimated 880,000 eligible households have yet to claim the benefit.
The DWP's awareness drive aims to identify these households before the December 21 deadline for winter fuel payment applications. The department is also addressing myths that may deter applications, such as the belief that savings, a pension, or home ownership are barriers to support.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall urged pensioners and their families to check eligibility, stating: “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.” Chancellor Reeves added that the “dire state of the public finances” necessitated the changes.
