Following Labour's restriction of the Winter Fuel Payment to pension-age Brits claiming Pension Credit, applications for the income-boosting benefit have surged. Although government campaigns have encouraged low-income pensioners to apply, a backlog exists in processing claims, and hundreds of thousands remain unaware of the benefit.
Since Labour implemented a restriction on the Winter Fuel Payment in June, making it available only to pension-age Brits claiming Pension Credit, a significant surge in applications for the income-boosting benefit has been observed. Over 150,000 people have signed up for Pension Credit, driven by government campaigns urging low-income pensioners to claim the benefit. However, despite these efforts, over half a million eligible pensioners remain unaware of or are not claiming the assistance.
A Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) minister has acknowledged that a substantial backlog exists in processing applications, with around 60 percent of applications received in the latter half of the year yet to be reviewed. The deadline for submitting backdated Pension Credit claims and securing the £200 to £300 Winter Fuel Payment was December 21st. While applications surged by 145 percent during this period, with officials managing to process approximately 9,000 claims per week, DWP minister Baroness Sherlock revealed that 92,400 claims remained outstanding as of December 23rd.Despite the processing delays, any eligible Brits who submitted their claims before the December 21st deadline and were subsequently approved should receive their backdated Winter Fuel Payment on January 29th. A government campaign, launched in September, has utilized various platforms, including TV, radio, social media, YouTube, advertising screens, and even GP and Post Office screens, to promote Pension Credit awareness. Targeted letters were also sent to 120,000 individuals over 66 receiving Housing Benefit, encouraging them to apply, along with appeals to friends and family to assist older people with making a claim. Baroness Sherlock emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that older individuals receive the support they are entitled to, highlighting the significant steps taken to maximize Pension Credit uptake. However, despite these efforts, hundreds of thousands of eligible pensioners continue to miss out on the benefit, which averages around £3,900 annually. Pension Credit is designed to raise incomes to a minimum level, with a threshold of £218 per week for individuals and £332 for couples
WINTER FUEL PAYMENT PENSION CREDIT GOVERNMENT SUPPORT BENEFITS ELDERLY
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