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Almost 30,000 pensioners will miss out on the winter fuel payment in Caerphilly County Borough under changes being brought in by the UK Government.
According to figures from the Department of Work and Pensions, 33,408 people received the payment in the winter of 2022/23.
The UK Government wants to restrict the payments of £200 and £300, from 2025/26, to those pensioners claiming Pension Credit. In Caerphilly, this is 5,175 pensioners, according to latest DWP statistics.
This means that an estimated 28,233 pensioners will miss out on the payment.
Last week Labour MPs, including those who cover the constituencies of Caerphilly County Borough, voted with their government against a Conservative motion opposing the change.
Caerphilly’s Chris Evans, Newport West and Islwyn’s Ruth Jones, and Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney’s Nick Smith all voted against.
Caerphilly Observer asked each MP why they voted against the motion.
All three said that as Labour MPs, they did not want to be in a position where they had to vote in support of the changes and blamed the Conservatives for the state of public finances.
Nick Smith
“It is important now to make sure that every pensioner eligible for Pension Credit is claiming it as, at the moment, there are many who are not.
“My office is gearing up to be able to lend a hand and I will be holding public events in Blaenau Gwent next month and Rhymney in November to help any pensioners who need advice or help with claiming.”
Ruth Jones
“Winter fuel payments will continue for anyone receiving pension credit but only two thirds of pensioners entitled to it actually claim. That is why we launched a new cross-government campaign to boost uptake.
“My office is working hard to ensure everyone eligible in Newport West and Islwyn gets the support they are entitled to. I am determined to see that no one is left behind.”
Chris Evans
“As a country, we have been spending beyond our means for too long, and action must be taken now. Therefore, I came to the decision to vote with the government.
Even though there are changes to the Winter Fuel Payments, I want to reassure anyone who is concerned that there is help available. The government is committed to protecting the triple lock on pensions over the lifetime of this Parliament. The triple lock saw the new state pension rise by over £900 this year, and a further rise will be announced in the budget next month.”
People can check their eligibility for Pension Credit via the UK Government’s claim line on 0800 99 1234.
What other help is available?
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill which the UK Government has said will reopen for applications next month.
Electricity suppliers will apply the discount with no money being paid out.
To qualify, people must get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and will be automatically included in the scheme; or be on a low income and be deemed to have high energy costs.
To be eligible, people must be in receipt of either: Housing Benefit; Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA); Income Support; the ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit; Universal Credit; Child Tax Credit; Working Tax Credit
Your property must have a high energy cost score to be eligible for the scheme.
This is not based on the actual energy costs in your energy bill. It’s calculated based on your property’s type, age and floor area.
For independent advice and help, Citizen’s Advice can help on 0800 702 2020.
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