Cut in Winter Fuel Payment will hit 45,000 pensioners in Bromley

The Liberal Democrats are asking the Labour Government to rethink their proposals to means test the Winter Fuel Payment. Restricting the allowance to pensioners who receive Pension Credit will impact over 45,000 local pensioners in Bromley. They're also calling on Bromley Council to help pensioners who are entitled to Pension Credit but who do not receive it to claim it which affects nearly 3,000 people in the Bromley Borough. 

"While we accept that it's time to review whether the Winter Fuel Payment should be a universal payment, restricting the payment to such a small number of pensioners and doing so at such short notice will cause a lot of hardship in the borough", said Lib Dem spokesperson Sam Webber. "Age UK have estimated that as many as 2 million pensioners who find paying their energy bills a real stretch will be seriously hit by this cut, including those on low incomes who just miss out on Pension Credit, those with high energy needs because of disability or illness, and the 1 million people across the UK who don't receive the Pension Credit for which they are eligible."

Bromley Lib Dems' analysis shows an estimated 45,000 pensioners in the Bromley Borough are at risk of losing the £300 payment, which helps with heating bills in the cold winter months. This is the estimated number of pensioners in the borough who don't receive pension credit, and so will lose the winter fuel allowance under the government’s plans unless they receive other benefits. The figures were compiled by the House of Commons Library based on data from the Department of Work and Pensions.

The Lib Dems have also found data to show that nearly 3,000 pensioners in Bromley are entitled to Pension Credit but don't claim it, worth nearly £9m. This data was compiled by Policy in Practice. 

The Liberal Democrats are calling on Bromley Council to do what they can to contact those who are entitled to the benefit but are not claiming it, and to advertise widely the free online benefits calculator and where to find help to claim this - amongst other - benefits. You can check what benefits and other financial support you are entitled to here - https://www.gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support. 

“Stripping support from many of the poorest pensioners just when energy bills are set to rise again is simply wrong", said Cllr Webber. "It could force vulnerable elderly people in our community to choose between eating and heating this winter."