A director at Age UK warns that 2.5m of people affected by new restrictions 'badly need' the benefit
A senior director at a charity supporting older people has said that this winter will be “a deeply challenging one” for millions of pensioners due to the introduction of restrictions on access to, said they were “deeply disappointed” by the Government’s “inevitable” defeat of a Conservative motion opposing plans to restrict the benefit to people receivingMs Abrahams said: “The reality is that driving through this policy as the Government is doing will make millions of poor pensioners poorer...
“We and many others are certain that it is not, and that’s why we will continue to stand with the pensioners who can’t afford to lose their payment and campaign for them to be given more Government support.“Meanwhile, winter is coming, and we fear it will be a deeply challenging one for millions of older people who have previously relied on their winter fuel payment to help pay their energy bills and who have no obvious alternative source of funds on which to draw.
Savings credit – a small top up for people who reached state pension age before 6 April, 2016 who have a modest amount of income or savings.Your weekly income should be below £218.15 if you’re single, or £332.95 if you’re in a couple. If you have a disability or caring responsibilities, you might still qualify with a slightly higher income.
If you have savings and investments over £10,000, each £500 above this amount counts as £1 in additional income per week when calculating eligibility. For example, if you have £11,000 in savings, this counts as £2 income a week. Those who receive pension credit might also be eligible for other benefits such as a free TV licence if you’re 75 or older, discounted council tax, or help with your rent through housing benefit.
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