THE first cold snap of the winter has left its mark, and across the country radiators will have been working hard.
However, for millions of older people living on low incomes, turning the heating on isn’t a simple decision, or sometimes, even an option. Many will also be about to lose the Winter Fuel Payment and will need to make their limited budgets stretch even further, possibly to breaking point.
In the South West there is a massive £108 million in Pension Credit not being received by eligible older people.
That’s why I believe the UK Government’s decision to tie the Winter Fuel Payment to Pension Credit is misguided, it will see far too many older people fall through the cracks.
The latest UK wide figures show that only 65 per cent of eligible people receive Pension Credit, meaning almost a million older people could be missing on this important entitlement across the country.
At Independent Age, we are extremely worried about the upcoming winter.
The older people we speak to are planning drastic cutbacks such as heating only one room, washing less and cutting back on food.
Living like this can be detrimental to your physical and mental health.
With less than a month to go until the December 21 deadline to apply for Pension Credit and be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, if you are 66 and over and are living on a low income, we urge you to check your Pension Credit eligibility.
Your claim for Pension Credit can be backdated, and if you successfully apply before the December 21 you will qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment as long as you lived in the UK during the qualifying week which is between September 16 and 22, 2024, and you can show you were entitled to Pension Credit during that time.
You can check your eligibility through the UK Government’s Pension Credit Calculator and apply direct by calling this number 0800 99 1234. Or you can come to a charity like us at Independent Age by calling our free and confidential helpline on 0800 319 6789 and we can help work out what you might be eligible for and help you apply if needed.
Joanna Elson, CBE
Chief Executive of Independent Age