Dr Luke Evans MP, Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, has urged pensioners to check their eligibility and apply for Pension Credit before December 21st deadline.
In July the Labour Government announced plans to widely restrict the Winter Fuel Payment – previously worth up to £300 – to pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit or other means tested benefits.
Successful claims for Pension Credit which are made before December 21st will also qualify for a backdated Winter Fuel Payment.
Pension Credit – the most underclaimed benefit in the UK – is often described as a gateway benefit as it helps people access a suite of other benefits, such as help with housing costs, council tax reduction schemes, heating bills and a fee TV license for over-75s.
There are already over 2,000 Pension Credit claimants in the constituency of Hinckley and Bosworth, but more are eligible. Figures shared by the Department for Work and Pensions suggests there are over 700,000 people across the UK entitled to the additional support but who have not yet applied, and around 1,000 in Hinckley and Bosworth.
To be eligible for Pension Credit a single pensioner should receive less than £218.15 per week, and £332.95 for couples. This amount could be higher if you’re disabled, a carer or have certain housing costs.
Pension Credit can be claimed online, over the phone or by completing a form. Information is available via https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling the Freephone Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
When applying please ensure that you have access to your National Insurance number, bank details and information about your savings.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, said “The Government’s decision to so widely restrict Winter Fuel Payments – when Pension Credit is the UK’s most underclaimed benefit and the Department for Work and Pensions is struggling to process applications in the allotted 50 working days – is cruel.
“The Government is making pensioners bear the brunt of their bad policy decisions, in spite of rising energy bills and cost of living pressures still affecting so many in our community and across the country.
“Most importantly, if you or a loved one could be entitled to Pension Credit please do check your eligibility and apply online or by calling the freephone claim line on 0800 99 1234.
“I encourage everyone who thinks they may be entitled to Pension Credit to apply, successful claims made before 21st December 2024 will qualify for backdated Winter Fuel Payment and it’s vital that everyone who is entitled to this support receives it.”