Pensioners whose weekly income is below £218.15 for a single person or £332.95 for a couple are being urged to use the DWP's online calculator to determine their eligibility for payments
The UK could have faced a run on the pound and an economic crash if Rachel Reeves had not axed winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners to fill a black hole in the public finances, Commons Leader Lucy Powell said. Ms Reeves and Sir Keir Starmer have faced criticism from opponents, campaigners and some of their own MPs over the decision to means-test the payments worth up to £300.
"But we have faced this huge additional black hole for this current financial year, borrowing higher than anybody understood. If we hadn't taken some of these tough decisions we could have seen a run on the pound, interest rates going up and crashing the economy. It's something we were left with no alternative but to do."
Ms Powell said: "What we've been left with is a huge legacy of overspend. They've overspent on the asylum system to the tune of nearly £7 billion, they knew that the public sector pay deals that were sitting on their desk before the election would be honoured by them or any incoming government, and they hadn't set aside any money.
From this winter, the fuel payments will be restricted to the poorest pensioners, those who are on pension credit. The Government has launched a campaign to encourage those eligible for the benefit to claim it. According to the Department for Work and Pensions around 880,000 eligible pensioners are missing out on pension credit, which on average amounts to £3,900 a year.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
800,000 pensioners could be missing out £218 a week DWP entitlementThe DWP is launching a campaign to help hundreds of thousands of Brits access the benefits they need and Winter Fuel Payments they’re entitled to
Read more »
Older people with weekly income less than £218 could be due £3,900 annual top-upNew Pension Credit claims made before December 21 can be backdated by up to three months.
Read more »
One simple change could help poorest older people get pension creditDWP urged to help pensioners unlock £2.1bn in benefit by making claim process ‘automatic’
Read more »
Charity urges older people to check for annual income boost of nearly £4,000Independent Age warns 1.2 million State Pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit from DWP.
Read more »
Older people with these health conditions could be due up to £434 each monthNew DWP data shows more than 1.6 million pensioners are receiving Attendance Allowance.
Read more »
DWP announces set date you need to apply by to get your £300The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a warning to UK pensioners
Read more »