HOT’s Erica Smith with fliers outside the Bexhill Senior Citizens Club. Photo: Energise Sussex Coast

Special ‘Winter Fuel Payment drop-in’ at Bexhill Senior Citizens Club

Volunteers are distributing 5,000 fliers in Bexhill this week urging pensioners to check their eligibility for pension credit and apply before the 21 December deadline. Energise Sussex Coast’s Gabriel Carlyle reports.

A special ‘Winter Fuel Payment drop-in’ will be taking place at Bexhill Senior Citizens Club (45 Eversley Road, TN40 1HA) from 1–3pm next Tuesday (3 December), to help local pensioners check their eligibility before the 21 December deadline.

Volunteer flier-deliverer in Bexhill, Tuesday 26 November. Photo: Energise Sussex Coast

Advisors from Age UK, the Hastings Advice and Representation Centre (HARC) and local community energy co-op Energise Sussex Coast will all be present to provide advice and assistance to anyone who needs help. Local volunteers are distributing 5,000 fliers in Central Bexhill, Pebsham and Sidley this week to promote the event.

Earlier this year the government decided to means-test pensioners’ access to the Winter Fuel Payment, which last year provided over 11 million pensioners with £100–£300 in assistance.

For most UK pensioners, access to the Payment will now depend on whether or not they are receiving pension credit, a benefit given to poorer pensioners. However, Age UK estimate that roughly 1 million pensioners who are entitled to receive pension credit don’t currently claim the benefit.

According to Radio 4’s More Or Less, on average a successful new claimant for pension credit will end up being just under £3,000 better-off a year.

100,000 pushed into poverty

The flier promoting the event at the Bexhill Seniors Club on Tuesday 3 December. Image: Energise Sussex Coast

According to the Guardian: ‘Internal government modelling shows the decision to remove the benefit from millions of pensioners will push about 50,000 more people into relative poverty next year, and another 50,000 by the end of the decade.’

Anyone wanting to check their eligibility can do so themselves by calling the government’s pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234 or visit the pension credit website.

Energise Sussex Coast director Kate Meakin said: ‘There are many local residents who are eligible for pension credit and who aren’t claiming. This means that many pensioners may be put in the unacceptable situation of not being able to heat their homes this winter. We are urging all pensioners in East Sussex who aren’t current receiving pension credit to call the government pension credit claim line where they can do a quick check to see if they are eligible on 0800 99 1234. Even a small amount of pension credit each week will mean you qualify for up to £300 towards your energy bills this winter.’

The Winter Fuel Payment drop-in will take place at Bexhill Senior Citizens Club (45 Eversley Road TN40 1HA) from 1–3pm on Tuesday 3 December to help local pensioners check their eligibility before the 21 December deadline.

If you think you are eligible, or you think you know people who might be eligible, please apply before 21 December deadline. If you are unsure, then come along to the event for advice.

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