A backlog of Pension Credit claims means thousands of pensioners are at risk of not receiving their Winter Fuel Payment before the end of the year.
BBC analysis had found there is a backlog of 90,000 unprocessed claims as of the middle of last month. The broadcaster says official figures show some 9,000 claims are being processed per week, suggesting there will still be a backlog by the end of December.
Charities and the Labour Government have been encouraging people to submit Pension Credit claims since Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the Winter Fuel Payment would be means-tested soon after the party swept to power.
A government spokesperson told the BBC more than a million pensioners will still receive the Winter Fuel Payment, and the Government’s push to boost Pension Credit take up has seen applications more than double, with over 40,000 more pensioners now receiving it on top of the Winter Fuel Payment.
They added the Government has deployed extra staff to support processing applications, with a 51% increase in the number of cleared claims since the Chancellor’s announcement.
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Data from the Department for Word and Pensions (DWP) emerged on Wednesday showing just over half of Pension Credit claims processed in recent months were not awarded.
Between April and December 1, 91,000 pension credit claims were awarded while 92,000 were not, according to the DWP data. The figures were obtained following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by pension provider and financial adviser Quilter.
They also show that from April 2023 to March 2024 a slightly higher number of claims were awarded (134,000) than those that were not (112,000).
The figures were released ahead of a December 21 deadline for making a backdated claim for pension credit to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
Jon Greer, Head of Retirement Policy at Quilter, said: “With the last date for making a backdated claim for pension credit to receive the Winter Fuel Payment now just days away, it is vitally important pensioners on low incomes check their eligibility.
“While this new data shows a significant proportion of claimants are being denied pension credit this should not stop people applying if they think they might be eligible.
“Pension credit guarantees a weekly income of £218.15 if you’re single or £332.95 if you have a partner. It also unlocks a variety of other benefits that can help with housing costs, council tax, and heating bills.”
