Rachel Reeves is looking to ease the row over slashing winter fuel payments by urging poorer pensioners not to miss out on another benefit.
The Chancellor is tomorrow throwing her weight behind a ‘week of action’ to encourage hundreds of thousands of people to check their eligibility for the government’s Pension Credit which is worth up to £3,900 a year on average.
With up to 880,000 pensioners currently missing out on it, families, friends and neighbours will be encouraged to reach out to them to raise awareness of the benefit.
Anyone in receipt of pension credit will retain the right to a winter fuel payment.
The campaign comes with Ms Reeves facing anger from many Labour MPs over her decision to cut winter fuel payments from about 10 million pensioners to help deal with an £22 billion ‘black hole’ allegedly left by the Tories.
Last night, Ms Reeves stood by her earlier decision to restrict the payments but urged pensioners and their families to check their right to pension credit.
She said: ‘The £22 billion blackhole inherited from the previous governments means we are having to take tough decisions now to fix the foundations of our economy – including making the Winter Fuel Payments available to those most at need.
‘1.3million pensioners are already going to get help with fuel bills this year because they’re claiming pension credit – but thousands more are eligible.
‘So, if you know someone who could get pension credit and help with their fuel bills, now is the time to help them apply for pension credit.’
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: ‘Thousands of pensioners are missing out on pension credit worth on average £3,900 per year.
‘That needs to change. It’s easier than ever to check if you are eligible, including with our online calculator, and if your circumstances have changed since the last time you looked – I urge you to check again.
‘Friends, families and neighbours can also encourage their loved ones to apply, so that they are not missing out on this vital benefit.’
The DWP added that pensioners whose weekly income was below £218.15 for a single person or £332.95 for a couple should check to see if they are eligible for the credit worth £3,900 a year on average, using the DWP’s online calculator.
People with a severe disability, carers and those who are responsible for a child or young person who lives with them could get more.