DWP update for thousands set to miss out on £300 Winter Fuel Payment

The DWP has shared an update for thousands on State Pension who could miss out on £300 Winter Fuel Payment

The Department for Work and Pensions has issued an update to thousands of people who could MISS OUT on the £300 Winter Fuel Payment under new Labour Party government rules. The DWP has shared an update for thousands on State Pension who could miss out on £300 Winter Fuel Payment

The government department said it will get in touch with those claiming Housing Benefit but not Pension Credit. In response to Labour MP Paula Barker, Sir Stephen Timms, a minister at the DWP, said it was working with councils to boost the uptake of Pension Credit.

Sir Stephen said the DWP will be directly contacting pensioners who are receiving Housing Benefit that may be eligible for Pension Credit in November to encourage them to claim. He continued: "In the longer term we will bring together the administration of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit as soon as operationally possible, so that pensioner households receiving Housing Benefit also receive any Pension Credit to which they are entitled."

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The regulations for Winter Fuel Payments do not include Housing Benefit as a qualifying benefit, despite it being a means tested benefit received by many pensioners. Around 1 million low income pensioners get Housing Benefit and no other means tested social security benefit. T

he exclusion of Housing Benefit has a particularly marked effect on pensioners getting Housing Benefit only, but with an underlying entitlement to Pension Credit which they are not taking up. A DWP committee explained: "We welcome the government’s intention to align the administration of these benefits which is expected to increase Pension Credit take-up for those who have entitlement but are currently only claiming only pensioner Housing Benefit. In the meantime, we understand DWP’s take-up campaign will target this group. We also understand that the Department may be able to identify those pensioners who are in receipt of the full rate of pensioner Housing Benefit, and hence would almost certainly have entitlement to Pension Credit."