Pensioners urged to apply for pension credit to secure Winter Fuel Payment

Older people are being told it’s “more important than ever” to apply for pension credit in order to secure this year’s Winter Fuel payment.

Charities are urging pensioners to check if they are eligible for the benefit and submit their application by December 21.

The Winter Fuel Payment, worth between £100 and £300 a year, was once available to all seniors – now it will only go to those receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

It has raised concerns that even those who are struggling to get by may be missing out.

Independent Age estimates around 70,000 households in Scotland are entitled to pension credit and not getting it.

Chiefs say applying for pension credit could be a “vital lifeline” and “open the door” to other benefits.

The charity’s head of services Fran McSweeney told STV News: “It’s really more important than ever.

“Once you get pension credits, it opens the door to other entitlements such as help with rent and council tax. It’s like a golden key to live in a more manageable way.

“We strongly believe the UK Government could and should be doing more to raise awareness about pension credit. We speak to people on our helpline every day who are struggling.

“We really want to get the message that it’s not a handout, it’s something you’re entitled to. If you’re struggling to make ends meet we can help you.”

The latest figures from Age Scotland showing around 90,000 older Scots are missing out on Pension Credit.

Their campaign is supported by actor Brian Cox, who has underlined the importance of ensuring everyone eligible receives it.

Brian Cox backs Pension Credit awareness campaign STV News

Brian Cox said: “In a compassionate and just society, no one should have to worry about not being able to turn the heating on.

“Currently, 150,000 pensioners in Scotland live in poverty. Yet we know that around 90,000 older people are missing out on pension credit they are entitled to in Scotland.

‘It has never been more important to ensure that everyone eligible for pension credit receives it.”

Age Scotland has warned that the impact of cutting the universal Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners on low or modest incomes will be felt as temperatures across the country are set to plummet and snow is forecast for some areas.

The charity said that many who have lost their Winter Fuel Payment will be reluctant or unable to heat their homes adequately during the cold snap.

Around 270,000 pensioners already living in fuel poverty will no longer receive the payment and go into this winter with higher energy bills.

The charity is urging people to check in on older family and neighbours to make sure their homes are warm enough and they are eating hot meals.

Katherine Crawford, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: “Sadly, we’re likely to start seeing the real-life impact of taking away the Winter Fuel Payment from so many low and modest income pensioners. We knew this winter would be exceptionally hard for hundreds of thousands of pensioners in Scotland, but it is alarming to think that the fallout from the move could start affecting older people so soon.

“Our greatest fear is that older people put their health – and lives – at risk by not keeping their homes warm and not eating hot food in a desperate attempt to pay their high energy bills and avoid spiralling debt. Older and vulnerable people trying to survive in cold houses can very easily develop chronic health problems, including respiratory, cardiac and circulatory illnesses.

“Last month we published figures from the Scottish Ambulance Service which showed that almost 900 people over 50 were taken to hospital for hypothermia treatment last December. I really hope we don’t see anything like that again.

“It’s absolutely shocking that so many older people suffered in this way and it highlights the extreme risks of older people face staying warm at home. Hypothermia is entirely preventable, and yet bitterly cold temperatures paired with soaring energy prices and the loss of the universal Winter Fuel Payment are, to put it bluntly, life-threating.

“We would urge anyone worried about paying their energy bills to call our free helpline on 0800 12 44 222 to make sure they are receiving all the financial benefits and support they possible can.!

The Scottish Government says it will continue to press the UK Government to reverse its decision to scrap the winter fuel allowance – and keep eligibility for the benefit under review.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The UK Government’s decision to restrict eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments was taken without consultation or discussion with the Scottish Government and will reduce the funding available for the previously proposed universal Pension Age Winter Heating Payment by £147 million in 2024/25.

“As a result, Ministers had to take the difficult decision to mirror this approach in our Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. However, this government will continue to press the UK Government to reverse its decision and will keep eligibility for the benefit under review.”