Campaign by Fenland Labour party urges area’s pensioners to sign up for Pension Credit

A sign-up campaign is urging the area’s pensioners to check if they qualify for Pension Credit – and apply if they do.

More than a thousand people in Fenland district who qualify for the benefit which automatically makes them eligible for Winter Fuel Allowance are not yet claiming it and the deadline for applications is looming.

People have until December 21 to apply or it will be too late.

That is why North East Cambs Labour is urging families, friends and neighbours of less well-off pensioners who don't already claim to make sure they check their eligibility, not weekly income alone, by going to https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim online.

If their income is higher than the £218 per week cut-off point (£333 for a couple), they could still get the benefit if they are a carer, have a disability, or have savings of less than £10,000.

And if their total income is even a pound below the cut-off point they may qualify for very little Pension Credit yet be sure of receiving winter fuel relief.

Chair of NE Cambs Labour Cllr Martin Field said: “We estimate from local and national government figures that 1,421 people in Fenland still aren't claiming the Pension Credit they're entitled to.

“Fenland Labour is determined to get as many local pensioners signed up for Pension Credit as we can. It's easier and quicker than you'd think.

“So our message is clear – if you are a pensioner please check if you could be due extra money through Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Allowance and other associated benefits to help with bills this winter, and if you're a friend, relative or neighbour of a pensioner please do everything you can to encourage them to apply.”

Check eligibility for yourself or on behalf of a pensioner by going to https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/eligibility on the Gov.UK website, which also explains how to claim.