I am writing to you as the Member of Parliament for Louth and Horncastle.
As you may be aware, the new Government has recently announced that the Winter
Fuel Payment will only be paid to people who receive Pension Credit (and some other
means-tested benefits), rather than all pensioners as had been the case previously. I
voted against this change, however the Government are pushing ahead regardless.
Because of this, it is vitally important that everyone who is eligible for Pension Credit
ensures that they are claiming this. Pension Credit is dependent on your income and
if you have a partner, your income is calculated together. Pension Credit then tops up
your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single or your joint weekly income to £332.95
if you have a partner. If your income is higher, you might still be eligible for Pension
Credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have
housing costs.
You can see more detail about eligibility online at https://www.gov.uk/pensioncredit/eligibility. You can claim this online at
https://apply-for-pension-credit.service.gov.uk/start, by post or by phone:
Telephone: 0800 99 1234 or Textphone: 0800 169 0133
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 99
1234
If you need a paper application form, please do get in touch and my office can arrange
to send one out to you. You can contact my office on 01507 527017 or 020 7219 5897.
For help with filling out the application form you can also contact Age UK Lindsey on
01507 524 242 or Citizens Advice Lincoln & Lindsey on 0808 278 7904.
Pension Credit can also entitle you to further support, beyond the Winter Fuel
Payment, so it is vital that if you are eligible, you claim this to ensure that you get
everything to which you are entitled.
Many people have been in contact with me who are not entitled to Pension Credit, but
who are struggling with the prospect of losing the support of the Winter Fuel
Payment. I share your concerns and am pushing the Government and local councils
on what further support they are going to make available to people. I will continue to
update constituents on my progress with this.
If you have received this and are not of pension age, then please do pass this on to
anyone you know who may find this information or support helpful.
Yours sincerely,
The Rt Hon Victoria Atkins MP
Member of Parliament for Louth & Horncastle