Crosspoint offers help as pensioners face winter fuel payment cuts

Local support service Crosspoint is offering important advice and support for pensioners who may be affected by cuts to winter fuel payments.  

From this winter, many pensioners who previously received the payment will need to apply for it, as automatic entitlement is now limited to those on benefits and pension credit. Crosspoint is available to help pensioners check if they qualify for pension credit and assist with the application process at their drop-in sessions throughout the week. 

Crosspoint chair Kevin Fairman said, “Are you worried about losing your £300 winter fuel payment? You may be one of nearly a million pensioners who could still receive the payment this winter but now need to apply for it. 

“Until now, winter fuel payments worth up to £300 have been made available to everyone above state pension age in the UK (most recently, this included those born on or before 24 September 1957) – but this will no longer be the case from this winter. 

“From now on, the allowance will only be available to people on benefits and pension credit, so many people just above those thresholds will stop receiving the winter fuel payment. 

“Pension credit gives people extra money to help with living costs if over state pension age and on a low income and tops up: 

• your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single 

• your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner.” 

Kevin added, “If you would like to check whether you qualify for pension credit but are not currently receiving it, then come into Crosspoint at any of the following times and our volunteers will help you to check: 

• Mondays 13.30–16.00 

• Wednesdays 13.30–16.00 

• Fridays 10.00–12.30 

• Saturdays 10.00–12.30 

“If you do qualify, we can then help you complete an application, for which you would need to bring your (and your partner’s) National Insurance number, information about all income, savings and investments, and bank account details.”