Stuart Anderson MP urges Pension Credit Uptake as Winter Fuel Payments Taken from Thousands
Stuart Anderson MP has urged pensioners across South Shropshire to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit, a payment which unlocks support of up to £3,300 for vulnerable elderly residents. It follows the new government’s announcement that only those entitled to Pension Credit or another qualifying means-tested benefit will be entitled to winter fuel payments. The announcement was made on 30th July, just one day before summer recess.
Last winter, 24,824 people in South Shropshire benefitted from the payment, which helps with the cost of energy bills during the colder months. Stuart said that the decision to restrict access to the support is “incredibly disappointing” and that he is calling on the new government to halt the change. The call is echoed by 22 charities such as Age UK, which has said that it is “the wrong policy choice”. Charities such as Age UK have added that the changes could adversely affect two groups in particular; those on low incomes who are just above the threshold to be eligible for Pension Credit and those with high energy needs due to their health.
To mitigate these changes, Stuart is calling on pensioners across South Shropshire to check if they can claim Pension Credit. It not only tops up their retirement income, but opens the door to a range of other support, including help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills, a free TV licence for those 75 or over, and help with NHS dental treatment, glasses, and transport costs for hospital appointments. It has already unlocked an average of up to £3,900 of support for 2,085 pensioners in South Shropshire.
There are currently around 1.4 million pensioners claiming some £5 billion of Pension Credit. Yet, the Department for Work and Pensions has estimated that only six out of ten eligible pensioners have claimed to receive this support. This means that up to 880,000 people have not yet claimed the support available, leaving £2.1 billion of help unclaimed. This amounts to around £2,200 for each eligible person.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“The new government’s announcement that it will withdraw winter fuel payments from those not in receipt of benefits like Pension Credit is incredibly disappointing. 24,000 people in our area benefit from the payment, which helps with the cost of energy bills during the colder months. The new government is risking the physical and financial health of those who are just below the threshold to be eligible for Pension Credit and those with high energy needs. So I am calling on the government to urgently raise awareness of Pension Credit and to review how it can better support pensioners in the longer-term.”
Pension Credit can be claimed online or over the phone. Information is available at www.gov.uk/pension-credit/print or via the Freephone Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
