Claims for pension credits rise by 145% after Labor tests winter fuel payment. Here’s how to submit an application

Around 150,000 applications for pension credits have been submitted in just 16 weeks since Rachel Reeves announced that winter fuel payments will be means-tested.

Applications rose by 145 percent after the declaration – compared to 61,300 applications submitted in the 16 weeks leading up to the announcement, official data shows.

Tom Selby, director of public policy at AJ Bell, said: ‘Rachel Reeves’ decision to means-test the winter fuel payment has sparked anger among pensioners and campaigners with the benefit, worth up to £300, which is now only available to people low-income retirees who are eligible for a supplement to the pension credit.

‘The decision to make the winter fuel payment means-tested means it is even more important that those who could be eligible for pension credit make a claim.’

According to the Department for Work and Pensions, of the 161,800 applications for pension credits processed since April this year, only 81,000 have been granted, while a similar number have been rejected.

About 53,000 people are currently waiting for a result on their application.

‘Because the process for applying for pension credit requires you to fill out a relatively extensive form, which you should not bother with unless you really need the money, these statistics also reflect the acute concern that many older people feel about losing their winter fuel . Payment,” said Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK.

Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper called the latest figures a ‘damning indictment of the government’s failure to protect pensioners this winter’.

The Liberal Democrats called on the government to ‘acknowledge their mistake, scrap this unfair cut and prevent older people from being forced to choose between heating and food this winter.’

The increase in applications following the Chancellor’s decision comes as many fear they will have to tighten their wallets to afford heating costs this winter. With large numbers of eligible pensioners unable to claim a pension, this could be a way to see themselves through the colder months.

Rosie Hooper, financial planner at Quilter Cheviot, said: ‘The last date to make a retroactive claim for a pension credit to receive the Winter Fuel Payment is now less than a month away, so it is crucial that pensioners low-income earners check their eligibility .

To qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment, retirees must apply for a pension credit before December 21.

Pension Credit provides a weekly income of at least £218.15 for singles or £332.95 for couples.

The Winter Fuel Payment provides between £100 and £300 per year on top of that to help cover the costs of heating your home.

In the past, as many as a third of eligible people did not use the pension credit every year.

According to the government, around 880,000 households could miss out on more than £3,900 a year in pension credits.

Those who receive a pension credit are eligible for winter fuel payments.

Stephen Lowe, of Just Group, said: ‘They may fail to claim for a number of reasons: they are simply unaware of the benefit, assume they don’t are eligible or don’t know how to apply.

‘Our own research among people over 65 showed that almost two in five homeowners and one in seven tenants had never checked their benefit rights.’

How to apply for pension credit and get help with claims

If you are elderly and not wealthy, your weekly income will be supplemented with a pension credit of up to at least £218.15 for singles and £332.95 for couples.

On average it is worth around £4,000 a year on its own, but a pension credit also opens the door to lots of extra help with household bills.

You can get thousands of pounds on top, including help with housing costs, heating, council tax and a TV license if you’re over 75, and other bills.

Learn more about pension credit here and about the rules about who qualifies here.

You can register by telephone at 0800 99 1234claim pension credit online or receive a form to do this by post.

A friend or family member can submit an application on behalf of an older person.

In Scotland, a new winter heating benefit at retirement age will eventually replace the winter fuel payment.

But for this winter, eligible people over state pension age will receive a benefit in line with the Winter Fuel Payment, and this will be means tested.

Bill here if you live in Scotland And here for Northern Ireland.

Age UK staff provide assistance with applications. Any senior struggling with bills, or friends and family concerned about it, can call 0800 169 6565.

This line is open every day of the year from 8am to 7pm, or you can drop by Age UK’s help page here.

It also has a free, anonymous benefits calculator who can provide an estimate of what you may be entitled to if you want to know this information privately.

Age UK notes that the Domestic Support Fund has been expanded to help households in need with bills and essential costs during the winter.

Money needs to be set aside specifically for the elderly, so it says they should contact their local authority to see if they are entitled to any support.

Independent Age, a charity focused on improving the lives of older people in financial difficulty, offers help through its freephone line 0800 319 6789.

Advisors from the charity carry out benefits checks to ensure callers have access to all available support, including pension credit and the winter fuel payment.

What does the government say?

“We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension increase by up to £1,900 in this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock,” a spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said.

‘More than a million pensioners will continue to receive the Winter Fuel Payment, and our drive to boost the take-up of pension credits has already led to a 152 per cent increase in claims.

‘Many others will also benefit from the £150 Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments this winter, while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the costs of food, heating and bills.’