Thousands of households across the UK are missing out on Winter Fuel Payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) worth up to £300.
Data analytics company Policy in Practice (PIP) has warned ahead of a looming deadline to qualify for the payment that more than £70 million in benefits is being left unclaimed, with more than 28,500 eligible households still not registered for the benefit.
Figures from the firm suggest that thousands of people living in West Yorkshire are at risk of missing out on Winter Fuel Payments this year as they are not currently claiming Pension Credit.
PIP said around £22 million of Pension Credit is unclaimed in Leeds, £20 million in Bradford, £12 million in Kirklees, £10 million in Wakefield and £6 million in Calderdale.
Meanwhile, research by insurance firm Royal London found that more than 40% of pensioners in Leeds and Bradford haven’t checked their Pension Credit eligibility.
The government has said it has written to 120,000 pensioners to encourage them to apply and the DWP has deployed 500 extra staff to process applications as quickly as possible before the deadline of December 21, the latest date to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.
New figures show an extra 42,500 households are now in receipt of Pension Credit since the government launched its awareness campaign and the average weekly number of applications have more than doubled since July to 150,000.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told MPs earlier this month: “I would like every pensioner who is entitled to pension credit, up to £3,900, to get it. I think it is a scandal that over 800,000 pensioners, the poorest pensioners, are losing up to £3,900 in pension credit that they should be entitled to.”
You must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached State Pension age to qualify for Pension Credit. You can apply online via GOV.UK or by calling the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
Minister for Pensions Emma Reynolds MP added: “We’re pleased to see more pensioners are now receiving Pension Credit and our staff are processing claims as quickly as possible.
« With the 21 December approaching, my message is clear: check if you are eligible for Pension Credit and if you are then apply, as it unlocks a range of benefits including the Winter Fuel Payment.”
