Older Londoners urged to check if they can get Pension Credit

Roughly 127,000 pensioners in the capital are at risk of losing their winter fuel allowance despite being theoretically eligible to keep it, an analysis by Age UK London has revealed.

The figure comprises 13 percent of the city’s 979,000 pensioners, all of whom were previously entitled to receive the payment to keep their homes warm in the colder months. The Government announced in September that the payment will instead be means-tested.

Those 127,000 London pensioners are all eligible to receive pension credit due to their low income, but are not currently claiming it, the analysis said. The Government has promised that anyone in receipt of pension credit will be allowed to keep their winter fuel allowance.

Age UK London has warned that these pensioners will need to claim their pension credit before the December deadline in order to retain their winter fuel payments.

The analysis also showed that about 636,000 pensioners — 65 percent of London’s total — will lose their winter fuel payments as they will fail to qualify for them. Roughly 215,000 — some 22 percent of London’s pensioners — are already receiving benefits like pension credit or universal credit, and will therefore keep their winter fuel allowance.

According to data gathered by the Trust for London, the capital has a higher proportion of older people living in poverty when compared with the rest of England.

For example, looking at the 80-84 age group, some 25 percent of people between those ages in London are in poverty, compared with 19 percent in the rest of England.

Age UK London said many older people in the capital are “feeling hopeless by their situation” amidst high energy bills and steep housing costs.

One 79-year-old woman told Age UK London: “I worry, but there is nothing I can do about it.

“I sold all the jewellery of any value that I had. I got £127 for a Hatton Garden made bracelet with a diamond in it, my diamond engagement ring and a plain gold ring. I now have nothing else to sell.”

John McGeachy, Age UK London’s campaigns manager, said: “It’s 2024 and we should not be hearing from older people telling us that they will not be putting on their heating this winter or that they are having to make extremely hard choices every single day.

“The poverty rate for older Londoners is unacceptable with well over a fifth of over 50s in London living in poverty. London continues to have the highest poverty rate for both pensioners (aged 66 and over) and all over 50s in the UK. The changes to winter fuel payment eligibility will make things significantly worse as we head into the winter months.

“It is vital that decision makers across London work together to address and alleviate the financial hardships faced by older Londoners — we all need to work together to ensure that no older Londoner is left behind this winter.”

Responding, a Government spokeswoman said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners — with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

“Over 190,000 pensioners in London already receive pension credit and will therefore continue to receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up across Great Britain has already seen a 152 percent increase in claims.

“Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter, while our extension of the Household Support Fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”

Mayor Sadiq Khan recently announced he was extending his campaign to raise awareness among older Londoners as to whether they’re entitled to pension credit.

He said last week: “Many older households in London are disproportionately affected by cost of living pressures so I am delighted that thanks to our campaign they have claimed over £17m in pension credit.

“I’m pleased to be extending the scheme for a further year, helping to reach even more households across the capital that are eligible to receive pension credit. As mayor, I will continue to stand up for all Londoners and do all I can to help them with cost of living pressures, building a better and fairer London for everyone.”

Age UK London is urging all London pensioners struggling to meet costs to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit to ensure they receive the support they are entitled to. They can contact their local Age UK in London or call Age UK’s helpline open 7am to 8pm 365 days a year on 0800 678 1602.