Thousands of pensioners could be missing out on additional support this Winter
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Advice sessions are taking place across the district to help people find out if they qualify for Pension Credit Support and other benefits.
“It’s really important that everyone who is eligible for Pension Credit applies for it. Not only do you receive additional help from the Government, but it also automatically makes you eligible for a range of other support with the cost of living.
“Following recent changes to the Winter Fuel Allowance that’s one of the things this applies to. So, we’re urging people who get the state pension to get advice and claim any support that they are eligible for.”
Cllr Maureen Cummings
Cabinet Member for Communities and Poverty
The Residents First Group, a partnership of organisations including Wakefield Council, Citizens Advice Wakefield District, Wakefield District Housing and local Voluntary, Community, Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations, is encouraging retirees to come to one of their community sessions to speak to an advisor.
They can check if people are entitled to Pension Credit Support which would make them eligible for the Winter Fuel Allowance and potentially for other support.
An award of just £1 in Pension Credit allows retirees to receive the Winter Fuel Allowance.
Nationally, 880,000 pensioners are missing out on £3,900 of Pension Credit and the additional support available.
Simon Topham, chair of the Residents First Group, said: “Using national figures this means around 4,000 local pensioners in Wakefield District are missing out on Pension Credits and could miss out on the Winter Fuel payment and a lot of other benefits.
“Don’t miss out - even if you think you’re not eligible because you have savings, you might well be pleasantly surprised. It costs nothing to come to the events and have a friendly, face-to-face chat with our team. We even offer tea and cakes while you wait!’
The Residents First Group held its first event at St Swithun’s, Eastmoor Community Centre.
Residents who are eligible for Pension Credit may also be able to access more support including NHS dental treatment and glasses, transport costs for hospital appointments, housing benefit, council tax support and for over 75’s a free TV licence.
Residents can also speak with a friendly advisor about any issues they are facing, including money, household bills, energy support and housing.
The next events are taking place in Pontefract on:
Friday 4 October at Pontefract Library from 10am to 4pm
Wednesday 9 October at St Mary's Community Centre, Pontefract, from 10am to 4pm
More sessions in other parts of the district will be added. To find out more visit www.wakefield.gov.uk/PensionCredit.
For information
The Residents First Group (RFG) was initially a response to the Covid-19 pandemic and now acts as a partnership who aims to reduce poverty and support residents with the cost-of-living challenge.
Since Help at the Hubs (HATH) first began in November 2020, the Citizens Advice service within HATH venues has helped over 4,000 people with 10,000 issues and secured recorded income gains of £2,218,000.
RFG ran three ‘benefits campaigns’ (Your Money Matters’) that helped 344 households with financial gains over the three campaigns of £866k (that is an average income gain per household of over £2,500).
Other projects part-funded by RFG: Food Aid Network; Knottingley Community Shop; funds provided to 9 Community Hubs; and is about to support the new Prosper Wakefield Child Bed Poverty Campaign.