Charity is offering special helpline for pensioners to make sure that they are able to claim the Winter Fuel Payment before December deadline
One-fifth of over-50s in London are living in poverty, a higher proportion than any other part of England.
Make sure you claim: pensioners who want to ensure that they receive the Winter Fuel Payment to which they are entitled need to make sure they apply before December
That’s according to charity Age UK, who during London Challenge Poverty Week, which runs until October 20, are highlighting the pressing issue of poverty among older Londoners.
Around 30% of London’s population – 2.5million people – are aged 50 or over. Of those, almost 1million are pensioners. And of the 50+ age group, 22% are living in poverty.
The charity says that the financial challenges faced by older people in London are significant and require immediate attention.
This is made especially urgent, as 763,000 pensioners are at risk of losing their Winter Fuel Payments under Labour government’s new arrangements.
Age UK estimates that, within that 763,000, there are 127,000 pensioners in London who are eligible for Pension Credit but who are not receiving it. “These people need to claim Pension Credit before the December deadline to retain their Winter Fuel Payments,” Age UK says.
They reckon that 78% of pensioners in London will no longer receive Winter Fuel Payments.
- There are nearly 1million London pensioners (979,000)
- 215,000 pensioners are currently receiving benefits such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit, qualifying them for Winter Fuel Payments under the proposed arrangements. These pensioners will retain their Winter Fuel Payments.
763,000 pensioners are at risk of losing their Winter Fuel Payments under the new arrangements - Age UK estimates that, within that 763,000, there are 127,000 pensioners in London who are eligible for Pension Credit but not receiving it – these people need to claim Pension Credit before the December deadline to retain their Winter Fuel Payments
Research carried out by Age UK London, including meeting with older people face-to-face and through a survey for its poverty campaign, On the Edge, has provided shocking insight into the challenges faced by older Londoners.
One 79-year woman said, “I worry but there is nothing I can do about it. I sold all the jewellery of any value that I had. I got £127 for a Hatton Garden-made bracelet with a diamond in it, my diamond engagement ring and a plain gold ring. I now have nothing else to sell.”
John McGeachy, the campaigns manager at Age UK London, said: “It’s 2024 and we should not be hearing from older people telling us that they will not be putting on their heating this winter or that they are having to make extremely hard choices every single day.
“The poverty rate for older Londoners is unacceptable with well over one-fifth of over 50s in London living in poverty. London continues to have the highest poverty rate for both pensioners (aged 66 and over) and all over-50s in the UK. The changes to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility will make things significantly worse as we head into the winter months.”
Age UK London is urging all London pensioners struggling to meet costs to check if they are eligible for Pension Credit to ensure they receive the support to which they are entitled.
- They can contact their local Age UK in London or call Age UK’s helpline open 7am to 8pm 365 days a year on 0800 678 1602.
“It is vital that decision-makers across London work together to address and alleviate the financial hardships faced by older Londoners – we all need to work together to ensure that no older Londoner is left behind this winter,” McGeachy said.
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