Pensioners in Buckinghamshire
are being invited to attend a free surgery in their local area to see if they
are eligible for Pension Credit. If they are, then they will be entitled to
keep the Winter Fuel Allowance. The Government has said it will be withdrawing
Winter Fuel Allowance from all pensioners, except those on Pension Credit or
similar support. The council see it as important to help those who need to
apply for Pension Credit but are not sure how to do so or are unsure if they
are eligible to receive the payment.
Pension Credit is a payment
from the government, available to those of state pension age who meet certain
eligibility criteria. It is paid in addition to a state pension and can amount
to up to £3,900 a year. It is designed to top up pension income and help with
day to day living costs. The Winter Fuel Allowance can be worth up to an extra
£300 a year.
The surgeries are being run in
libraries and other locations across the county between now and 21 December,
which is the cut-off date for applications. Advisors will be on hand to answer
questions and guide people through the process of applying for Pension Credit.
Martin Tett, Leader of
Buckinghamshire Council said: “Personally, I am very concerned that the
Government has chosen, as we approach winter, to stop the Winter Fuel Payment
for almost all pensioners. We know that there are many people who will be very
worried about how to pay their heating bills this year or more generally about
the ongoing increased cost of living. We do not want the elderly to be forced
to choose between ‘heating and eating’.
“We want to make sure that all
those who are eligible for these payments are not missing out. The form can
appear daunting. While some older residents will be able to ask family or
friends to help them fill it in, others may not have that support or may simply
not know what Pension Credit is or that they could be eligible. So, we are
urging all our senior residents to check or come along and speak to one of the
advisors at these surgeries where we can help you get the assistance you are
entitled to.”
Buckinghamshire Council
estimates that there are more than 5,000 older people in the county who could
be eligible for Pension Credit.
Martin added: “I believe that
it is so important that we help the most vulnerable of our older population at
this difficult time of year. As with any form of claim for a payment of this
type, it can be confusing to make sense of the eligibility criteria and also
how to complete your application. This is why I have insisted that we set up
these surgeries to support residents and make it as easy as possible for them
to claim this payment.”
To find a full list of the
surgeries taking place visit: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/events/support-with-pension-credit-applications/
More information on Pension Credit can be found
online: www.gov.uk/pension-credit