Nearly a million eligible pensioners could lose their £300 winter fuel payment, it was revealed yesterday.
They are urged to check if they qualify for a benefit that could prevent them from missing payments.
The drive to improve take-up of Retirement Credit comes amid growing anger over Labour’s removal of energy subsidies for up to 10 million older people.
It is feared that around 880,000 eligible households are not currently claiming Pension Credit, which alone is worth an average of £3,900 a year but also opens the door to other financial support from the state.
Single pensioners whose weekly earnings are less than £218.15 could be eligible, as would couples earning less than £332.95.
In July, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (pictured) announced that winter fuel payments, worth up to £300, would be means-tested for the first time in a bid to save £1.4bn.
It is feared that up to 880,000 eligible households are not currently claiming Pension Credit, which is worth an average of £3,900 a year on its own but also opens the door to other financial support from the state (pictured: an older woman holding a gas bill in front of a heating radiator)
Even those who own their own home or have savings can claim the payments and are advised to use the Department for Work and Pensions website to apply.
In July, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced that winter fuel payments, worth up to £300, would be means-tested for the first time in a bid to save £1.4bn.
She said last night: ‘I urge all pensioners to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit.’
The reduction in winter fuel payments comes as experts warn that average energy bills will rise from £1,568 to £1,714 in the autumn.
Consultancy Cornwall Insight says the energy price cap will rise by 9 percent following a spike in the wholesale cost of gas and electricity in global markets.
Industry regulator Ofgem will officially announce the new cap, which will apply from October 1, on Friday.