The administration has initiated a campaign to raise awareness about pension credit following modifications to the Winter Fuel Payment program. Up until recently, the Winter Fuel Payment was a universal benefit accessible to all pensioners. However, last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves implemented a means testing system, limiting the payments to those who qualify for pension credit.
Did you know that your family members, friends, neighbors, or loved ones might be eligible for an average of £3,900 extra annually through Pension Credit?
Learn more at https://t.co/N9h7Dk3tDW
— Department for Work and Pensions (@DWPgovuk) August 20, 2024
Labour’s choice to take away Winter Fuel Payments from millions of pensioners occurred just weeks after an election campaign during which they promised not to implement such changes. Yet they seem to have funds for inflation-increasing pay packages for the unions. Shameful. https://t.co/dVLZjhTO43
— Mel Stride (@MelJStride) August 17, 2024
Reeves explained that the alteration was necessary due to the unfavorable state of public finances left by the former government. The administration has encountered backlash and demands to revert the means-testing policy, with alarming predictions that it could force countless pensioners to choose between hot meals and heating their homes during the winter. While the government anticipates that 1.3 million households will continue to receive payments, analyses indicate that approximately 130,000 individuals may miss out because they are barely over the pension credit threshold.
I genuinely doubt Labour understands the havoc they are wreaking on nearly 10 million pensioners by taking away their Winter Fuel Payments.
Wake up, Labour, and reverse this heartless policy. https://t.co/RvVkvGDBy7 pic.twitter.com/DQaxueshqs
— Esther McVey (@EstherMcVey1) August 17, 2024
Encouraging pension credit applications
Advocates assert that the pension triple lock will not sufficiently compensate for the elimination of the winter fuel payment, estimating that roughly 850,000 eligible pensioners are not applying for pension credit. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Work & Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall are working alongside local governments and charities for the annual Pension Credit Week of Action in September.
The awareness initiative aims to identify households that are not claiming the benefit and encourage pensioners to submit their applications by December 21 to qualify for the winter fuel payment. The government hopes to dispel myths that could deter individuals from applying, such as the misconceptions that having savings, a pension, or owning a home disqualifies them from receiving pension credit. Over the next five years, the state pension is projected to rise for more than 12 million pensioners due to the triple lock, and the warm homes scheme will foster investment in insulation and low-carbon heating options.
Liz Kendall highlighted the government’s commitment to assisting low-income pensioners despite economic difficulties, urging pensioners or their families to check their eligibility for pension credit. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stressed the importance of ensuring that those eligible receive the support they require this winter, asserting that the government will do everything possible to facilitate the rollout of pension credit.
