DWP Pension Credit claims soar amid mass dash as Winter Fuel Payments cut back

Pension Credit claims have increased significantly since it was revealed Winter Fuel Payments would be trimmed back significantly, new figures suggest. Tens of thousands more people have scrambled to the DWP for help since Labour announced the measure would be means-tested - with those on Pension Credit among those who can still get the payments.

According to new figures, 38,500 people have now applied for Pension Credit in just five weeks after restrictions to the Winter Fuel Payment were announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. In the five weeks leading up to the announcement, only 17,900 people sent in a Pension Credit application, the figures state.

It comes after the Chancellor confirmed on July 29 that Brits over the state pension age would not be made automatically eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. Instead, eligible claimants must now reach certain criteria to receive the support, including being on a low income of £11,343.

Basically, only those on Pension Credit or other means-tested help will get the winter payments. The number of Winter Fuel Payments issued last year reached record highs of 11.6 million.

Data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) state that 214,000 more people received the payment last winted over the 11.4 million in 2022/23. Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesperson Steve Darling said: "Hundreds of thousands more pensioners are now set to lose out on these desperately needed payments that protect so many from having to choose between heating and eating.

"Cutting these payments for pensioners, which include millions who are just scraping by and are now worried about how they will get through the winter, is totally wrong. It is not too late for this new Government to change course and Liberal Democrat MPs will push them every step of the way to reverse these cuts and protect vulnerable pensioners this winter."

However, a government spokesperson said: "We do not recognise these figures. We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by £1,700 this Parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

“Given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right we target support to those who need it most. Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, while many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with their energy bills over winter.”