Scottish Ministers are ‘urgently considering’ the financial impact of the UK Government’s cut to Winter Fuel Payments.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is set to replace Winter Fuel Payments for more than one million older people living in Scotland later this year. The new benefit will be delivered by Social Security Scotland and provide an annual one-off payment to pensioner households to help with higher heating costs over the colder months.
While the Scottish Government’s website states its intention that the new payment “will be paid to everyone over the State Pension age every winter”, ministers will now have to determine if this will be affordable in the light of the UK Government’s decision. More than 42,000 people have already signed the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for struggling pensioners’ petition which states that the change is the “wrong policy decision” and will impact millions of older people who rely on the extra financial support to help cover the costs of higher bills during the winter month. You can view the petition online here.
Pension Credit Nearly 1.4m older people across Great Britain, including more than 126,800 living in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit that could provide an average of £3,900 in support during the year ahead. However, the latest figures from the DWP suggest there are still 880,000 eligible pensioners not claiming the benefit they are entitled to.
Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 - lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also provide access to a range of other benefits.
State Pension Benefits DWP Cost Of Living Personal Finance Money Worries Scottish Government Scottish National Party UK Government
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