SCOTS pensioners have been left worried that they may miss out on winter fuel support after waiting times for pension credit claims doubled in one month.
The number of outstanding applications waiting to be processed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has soared after Scottish ministers announced that they would be ending universal winter payment back in August.
SNP chiefs said that the money, used to help elderly people heat their homes, would be means tested.
The move followed Chancellor Rachel Reeves announcing similar changes for pensions in England and Wales.
Socialjustice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said winter fuel payments will only go to OAPs who receive eligible benefits.
The decision meant almost one million elderly people across Scotland would no longer be eligible to receive winter fuel payments.
As a result, OAPS were urged to apply for Pension Credit instead, which can provide up to £3,900 of extra financial support a year.
It specifically aims to provide financial support to single and married older persons on a low income.
The government needs to sort these delays out as soon as possible to avoid further hardship for these households during the coldest time of the year
Matt Copeland
The benefit was regarded as one of the most under-claimed benefits in the UK, however, claims have now doubled in the space of one month.
The number of outstanding applications that are due to be processed has skyrocketed by 125 per cent.
And it has sparked fears that the government cannot process the applications fast enough, creating longer waiting times.
According to Big Issue, the latest figures from the DWP show that it now takes 52 working days on average to process applications for pension credit as of the week ending on October 21.
This is up from the 25 working days that it took previously in the week ending on September 25.
This means that it is currently taking over 10 weeks, or around two and a half months, to process pension credit claims on average.
It would see eligible pensioners who apply for the benefit in November not receive the cash boost until mid-January.
While the payments can be backdated, it could leave struggling OAPS out of pocket as they struggle to afford to heat their homes during the bitterly cold winter after the energy price cap increased in October.
Matt Copeland, head of policy at charity National Energy Action, told the Big Issue: “It’s unfortunately no surprise that waiting times have gone up, since households will be exceptionally worried about the increased cost of heating since October and with less support available for energy bills.
It is imperative that the government acts to bring processing times down to ensure that older people most in need are able to access the support they need as soon as possible
Sarah Champion
“For those on prepayment meters, there is a serious risk of self-disconnection happening over the winter if they need to wait 52 working days to complete the pension credit application process.
“Elderly people are at far greater risk of health issues from living in a cold home– these can include respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
“Getting pension credit is so important for low-income and vulnerable households because it enables them to access the winter fuel payment.
“The government needs to sort these delays out as soon as possible to avoid further hardship for these households during the coldest time of the year.”
The figures were released after Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay and Labour MP Sarah Champion raised the issue in written parliamentary questions.
Who is eligible for Pension Credit?
ALMOST 125,000 people living in Scotland, are currently in receipt of Pension Credit, but thousands are still missing out.
Many older Scots may think they are not entitled to the means-tested benefit because they own their own home or savings.
On top of the cash payments, Pension Credit opens doors to other support, including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with housing costs, council tax and heating bills.
An award of just £1 a week can help provide access to additional benefits and support.
Qualifying Scots will also automatically receive a Winter Fuel Payment of up to £300 in line with the new eligibility change.
You could be eligible for Pension Credit if you are aged 66 or older and your income is below £218.15 a week if you’re single or £332.95 as a couple – this is known as the ‘guarantee’ part of the credit.
Even if your income is higher, you could claim if you meet other criteria, such as being a carer, having a disability, have extra housing costs such as service charges or have a child or young person living with you.
If you have more than £10,000 in savings, you could find that your payments may be cut or reduced – but it is still worth applying even if you only get a little extra each week.
You could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if you reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016, and you saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension.
This is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.
Ms Champion said: “The increased waiting time for processing claims for pension credit is concerning.
“It is good news that more people are submitting claims for pension credit, which has often struggled with low take-up.
“But it is imperative that the government acts to bring processing times down to ensure that older people most in need are able to access the support they need as soon as possible.”
A DWP spokesperson said: “We want to ensure all pensioners get the support they’re entitled to.
“These figures are a reflection of our successful pension credit campaign boosting applications by 152 per cent.
“Successful claims for pension credit can be backdated by three months, so all eligible claims made by 21 December would also receive a winter fuel payment as well as arrears of pension credit.
“We continue to urge anyone who thinks they may be entitled to pension credit to check now.”
How do I apply and what extra help can I get with it?
APPLICATIONS need to be made on the government website gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling 0800 99 1234.
You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you’ll need to be with them when they do.
You can also claim by post but you’ll need to download and complete the form from the gov.uk website or call for one to be sent out to you.
You then need to send completed forms to Freepost DWP Pensions Service 3.
When applying you’ll need your National Insurance number, as well as information about income, savings and investments.
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age – currently 66.
You can claim any time after reaching State Pension age but your application can only be backdated by three months, making it even more important to claim as soon as you are entitled.
When you claim Pension Credit, you will also qualify for further support including the Winter Fuel Payment.
In total this extra help can add up to an extra £9,665 a year, according to Policy in Practice.
This includes:
- The Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300 paid automatically each year
- A one-off payment of £150 through the Warm Home Discount Scheme to help with the cost of energy this winter
- A Cold Weather Payment of £25 a week, which is paid automatically when the average temperature is 0°C or below over seven consecutive days
- Housing benefit worth up to £4,338 a year
- Council tax support of £1,670 a year
- Water bill discount of £160 a year
- Cheaper broadband and phone deals worth up to £200 a year
- Free NHS dental treatment and help towards the cost of glasses and travel to hospital
- A free TV licence if you’re over-75 worth £175