Thousands of households in the borough are thought to be missing out ahead of universal winter fuel payments being axed

Nearly 4,000 Enfield residents are not applying for the pension credit they are eligible for, figures show.

Enfield Council leader Ergin Erbil has urged all pensioners in the borough to use the Department for Work and Pensions eligibility checker to find out whether they might be able to claim the benefit, now that the government is axing universal winter fuel payments.

Starting this winter, those not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits will no longer get the annual winter fuel allowance, which is worth between £100 and £300. Despite a vote at the Labour Party Conference this week urging the government to ditch this move, the prime minister has said it will still be going ahead.

While around 1.4 million pensioners are already receiving pension credit nationwide, up to an estimated 880,000 households are eligible for the support – worth an average of £3,900 per year – but are not claiming it. This includes an estimated 3,895 households in Enfield.

Any new recipients of pensions credit will automatically be given the winter fuel payment, as long as they apply before 21st December.

Cllr Erbil said: “Enfield Labour is determined to get as many local pensioners signed up for pension credit as we can. It’s worth around £4,000 a year and signing up has never been easier.

“The Conservatives left this country broke and broken – including a £22bn black hole in the nation’s finances. So, Labour has been forced to make tough decisions now to fix the foundations of our economy – but we’re protecting the pensioners who need our
support most.

“Through this campaign, we are hoping to ensure that every household in Enfield that is eligible gets every penny they are due.

“Our message is clear – if you are a pensioner please check if you are eligible to claim up to £4,000 through pension credit and the winter fuel allowance to help with bills this winter. If you know a pensioner, please do everything you can to encourage them to apply.”

Martin Lewis, founder of Money Saving Expert, is backing the government’s campaign to get more people signed up. He said: “It’s a national tragedy that nearly a million eligible low-income pensioners who’ve paid into the system for years are still missing out on the crucial pension credit financial lifeline – a better name for it would be the ‘state pension top up’.

“So whatever your age, take a second to understand how it works, so we can all ensure the message is spread to every nook and granny (and grandpas too). Especially as the government has just severed winter fuel benefits eligibility for millions, yet if you claim pension credit you’ll still get it.

“While for most single pensioners, you need total weekly income, including from savings, under around £218 (or pensioner couples under £333) to be very likely to qualify, my rule of thumb is spend a few minutes to check even with weekly income up to £235 (pensioner couples £350) as there’s still a chance some may be eligible.

“Pension credit can pay out thousands of pounds a year, but even if it’s only going to pay you thruppence, still claim it! As once you get it, it’s a gateway benefit that opens the door to other entitlements – including council tax reductions, free TV licences (if age over 75)
dental and optical support and more.”

Check if you are eligible for pension credit:
Visit gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility

Apply for pension credit:
Call 0800 99 1234
Visit gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim

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