Call to protect 250,000 Devon pensioners from biting Winter fuel costs

A quarter of a million pensioners across Devon will lose out on the Winter Fuel Payments worth up to £300 which have been axed by the new Labour Government 

In Devon, that means just 28,004 pensioners will now be entitled to the payments to help with their winter fuel bills - a massive drop from the 277,983 residents who benefited under the old scheme, say Devon's Liberal Democrats.

The Winter Fuel Payments ranged from £100 to £300 and were paid to everyone over the state pension age.

From this year onwards, to be eligible for the winter help, residents must have bee born  on or before 22nd September 1958 AND receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, explained Cllr Alan Connett, Liberal Democrat county councillor in Devon.

He added:" A big problem is that only about six in 10 people eligible for Pension Credits actually taken them up.

"That's why we're asking Devon County Council to work with other councils and actively promote the Pension Credits - let's get everyone who is entitled to this support claiming it and they should then be able to get to the Winter Fuel Payment.

"And with the next winter fuel price cap rises expected to be announced on 27 August and 25 November, it will be an especially worrying time for people who had perhaps been counting on the 
now axed winter fuel payment to help them out again this year, said Cllr Connett, who represents the Exminster and Haldon Division on the county council.

In the Devon County Council area, 180,579 residents will not be getting the winter fuel payment this year following Labour's surprise announcement.
When combined with those losing out in Plymouth and Torbay, says Cllr Connett, the total across all of Devon losing out is 249,987.

"We are worried that more older people in Devon will be faced with the horrid and stark

choice of heating or eating once more this winter," said Cllr Connett.

"There will be many people likely to be just above the threshold for Pension Credit who will also undoubtedly struggle this winter. The Pension Credit is paid to those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples).

"It's difficult to believe that Labour would not have been aware of the real and biting impact such a drastic cut in the Winter Fuel Payments will have when they announced that nine in 10 pensioners would be frozen out. I am hopeful that all councils in Devon will do what they can to help people claim the Pension credit and also lobby the Government to raise the threshold so that more pensioners can be helped to hat their homes this winter," added Cllr Connett. 

Devon County Council is expected to consider the Liberal Democrats motion on Protecting Devon's pensioners from biting winter fuel cuts at its next meeting on Thursday 5th September.