Round 150,000 pension credit score claims have been submitted in simply 16 weeks since Rachel Reeves introduced Winter Gas Funds will probably be means-tested.
The variety of purposes jumped 145 per cent following the assertion – up from 61,300 purposes made within the 16 weeks previous to the announcement, official information exhibits.
Tom Selby, director of public coverage at AJ Bell, mentioned: ‘Rachel Reeves’ determination to means-test the Winter Gas Cost has precipitated fury amongst retirees and campaigners with the profit, price as much as £300, now solely out there to low-income pensioners who qualify for pension credit score top-ups.
‘The choice to means-test the Winter Gas Cost means it is much more essential those that might qualify for pension credit score make a declare.’
In response to the Division for Work and Pensions, of the 161,800 pension credit score claims cleared since April this 12 months, simply 81,000 had been granted, with an analogous quantity being turned down.
Some 53,000 individuals are presently ready for an final result on their utility.
Nonetheless ready: Greater than 50,000 individuals have but to seek out out if they may obtain pension credit score
‘As a result of the method of making use of for pension credit score requires you to fill in a comparatively complete kind you would not hassle except you really want the cash, so these statistics additionally mirror the acute concern felt by many older individuals on the lack of their Winter Gas Cost,’ Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, mentioned.
Liberal Democrat MP Daisy Cooper known as the most recent figures a ‘damning indictment of the Authorities’s failure to guard pensioners this winter.’
The Liberal Democrats known as for the Authorities to ‘recognise their mistake, scrap this unfair minimize and keep away from older individuals being compelled to decide on between heating and consuming this winter.’
The surge in purposes following the Chancellor’s determination comes as many concern having to tighten their purse strings in an effort to pay for heating prices this winter. With huge numbers of eligible retirees failing to assert pension credit score, this might show a approach of serving to tide themselves over the colder months.
Rosie Hooper, chartered monetary planner at Quilter Cheviot mentioned: ‘The final date for making a backdated declare for pension credit score to obtain the Winter Gas Cost is now lower than a month away, so it’s vitally essential that pensioners on low incomes test their eligibility.
With a view to qualify for the Winter Gas Cost retirees should apply for pension credit score by 21 December.
Pension credit score provides a weekly revenue of no less than £218.15 for single individuals or £332.95 for {couples}.Â
The Winter Gas Cost gives between £100 and £300 per 12 months on high of this to assist cowl the prices of heating your own home.
Up to now, pension credit score has not been claimed by as many as a 3rd of these eligible every year.Â
In response to the Authorities, some 880,000 households may very well be lacking out on greater than £3,900 per 12 months in pension credit score funds.
Those that obtain pension credit score are eligible for Winter Gas Funds.
Stephen Lowe, of Simply Group, mentioned: ‘They could be failing to assert for quite a lot of causes – they could merely be unaware of the profit, assume they don’t seem to be eligible or not know declare.Â
‘Our personal analysis amongst over-65s discovered that just about two in 5 householders and one in seven renters had by no means checked their profit entitlement.’
Learn how to apply for pension credit score and get assist with claims
If you’re aged and never effectively off, pension credit score tops up weekly revenue to a minimal of £218.15 for single individuals and £332.95 for {couples}.
On common it’s price round £4,000 a 12 months by itself, however pension credit score additionally opens the door to a number of further assist with family payments.
You possibly can acquire hundreds of kilos on high together with assist with housing prices, heating, council tax and a TV licence if you’re over 75, and different payments.
Discover out extra about pension credit score right here and in regards to the guidelines on who’s eligible right here.
You possibly can apply your self by telephone on 0800 99 1234, declare pension credit score on-line or get a kind to do it by publish.
A pal or member of the family can apply on behalf of an aged individual.
In Scotland, a brand new Pension Age Winter Heating Cost will ultimately exchange the Winter Gas Cost.
However for this winter, individuals over state pension age who qualify will obtain a cost consistent with the Winter Gas Cost, and this will probably be means-tested.Â
Examine right here in case you dwell in Scotland and right here for Northern Eire.
Age UK workers present assist with purposes. Any older individual combating payments, or family and friends who’re involved about them, can name 0800 169 6565.
This line is open daily of the 12 months between 8am and 7pm, or you may go to Age UK’s assist web page right here.
It additionally has a free, nameless advantages calculator which might present an estimate of what you may be entitled to if you wish to discover out this data privately.
Age UK notes that the Family Assist Fund has been prolonged to assist struggling households with payments and important prices over winter.
Cash needs to be particularly put aside for older individuals, so it says they need to contact their native council to see in the event that they’re entitled to any assist.
Unbiased Age, a charity targeted on bettering the lives of older individuals in monetary hardship, gives assistance on its free phoneline 0800 319 6789.
 Advisers from the charity perform welfare profit checks to make sure callers are accessing all out there assist, together with pension credit score and the Winter Gas Cost.
What does the Authorities say?
‘We’re dedicated to supporting pensioners – with thousands and thousands set to see their state pension rise by as much as £1,900 this parliament by way of our dedication to the triple lock,’ says a spokesman for the Division for Work and Pensions.
‘Over 1,000,000 pensioners will nonetheless obtain the Winter Gas Cost, and our drive to spice up pension credit score take-up has already seen a 152 per cent improve in claims.
‘Many others may even profit from the £150 Heat House Low cost and Chilly Climate Funds this winter, whereas our extension of the Family Assist Fund will assist with the price of meals, heating and payments.’
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