Winter fuel payments

Further to the announcement that Winter Fuel Payments will now only be made to pensioners receiving Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits:

The withdrawal of universal support is expected to affect up to 10 million pensioners nationwide, leaving many at greater risk of fuel poverty as they face rising energy costs without additional support. Those who could be entitled to Pension Credit but have not claimed it are those likely to be at risk of the most significant detriment. Now claiming would not only help them retain the Winter Fuel Payment but also increase their income – in some cases, especially for pensioners who are ill or disabled – very significantly indeed.

Various estimates suggest that over 800,000 eligible pensioner households across the UK are not claiming Pension Credit despite being entitled to it. This is due to several factors, including stigma, a lack of awareness or cultural or language barriers. In Essex, this issue is particularly significant, as shown in the estimates for unclaimed annual Pension Credit income, :

Basildon: £5,517,859 unclaimed by 2,201 pensioner households

Braintree: £3,397,223 unclaimed by 1,546 pensioner households

Brentwood: £1,724,095 unclaimed by 662 pensioner households

Castle Point: £2,860,701 unclaimed by 1,215 pensioner households

Chelmsford: £3,503,477 unclaimed by 1,393 pensioner households

Colchester: £4,419,299 unclaimed by 1,686 pensioner households

Epping Forest: £4,037,662 unclaimed by 1,482 pensioner households

Harlow: £2,511,164 unclaimed by 991 pensioner households

Maldon: £1,687,340 unclaimed by 751 pensioner households

Rochford: £1,907,227 unclaimed by 849 pensioner households

Tendring: £6,759,182 unclaimed by 2,868 pensioner households

Uttlesford: £1,534,400 unclaimed by 661 pensioner households

(estimates provided by Policy in Practice)

Across the Greater Essex area, it is estimated that over £51 million of annual Pension Credit income is not being claimed by more than 20,000 pensioner households.

As the lead charity for the Citizens Advice service across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock, Citizens Advice Essex is committed to addressing this issue. We believe it is more important than ever to help eligible pensioners overcome the barriers to claiming Pension Credit.

The Citizens Advice network in the county is already actively working to ensure that some of this underclaimed income is secured for pensioners through our mainstream services, as well as through a range of specialist services designed to tackle fuel poverty. With your support, we can extend our reach and help more pensioners to access the benefits they are entitled to.

For assistance and support claiming from the government helpline, individuals can call the Pension Credit Helpline on 0800 169 0133.

For independent advice on all aspects of keeping warm and increasing income, the Citizens Advice Essex “Tackling Fuel Poverty Together” helpline can be reached on 0808 189 6550.

With thanks to Cllr Bob Massey for bringing this to attention.