Accessing support this winter

On Monday 29 July 2024, the Chancellor gave a statement to the House of Commons on the public spending situation inherited from the last Government. A Treasury spending audit revealed £22 billion of unfunded pledges inherited from the last Government.

I welcome that having exposed the scale and seriousness of what had been uncovered, the Chancellor set out the immediate action she was taking to deal with this inheritance. This involved extremely difficult decisions, including to provide the Winter Fuel Allowance only to those pensioners who claim Pension Credit.

I recognise that some low-income pensioners still aren’t claiming Pension Credit. Therefore, I am pleased that the Government is working with external partners and local authorities to boost uptake and target additional support to the poorest pensioners. This is to ensure that those who need the Winter Fuel Payment will receive it, alongside other benefits. As a Member of Parliament, I am happy to assist my constituents with this process where possible.

We have also announced that we will provide £1billion from next year to extend the Household Support Fund and discretionary housing payments to help those facing financial hardship with the cost-of-living crisis. The Government is also supporting pensioners through our Warm Homes Plan, confirming an initial £3.4billion over the next three years to transform 350,000 homes by providing insulation and low carbon heating.

I am pleased that this government has confirmed it is preserving the State Pension Triple Lock which will see the basic and new State Pension and Pension Credit’s standard minimum guarantee uprated by 4.1% with over 12 million pensioners gaining up to £475 next year.

This Government is absolutely determined to do everything possible to protect the poorest in society; We have announced that we will extend the Household Support Fund, providing £421m of targeted support for those in the greatest need during the current cost of living crisis.

Application assistance

You can access support filling out any kind of applications from organisations such as Independent Age. Organisations like this have a free helpline that you can access from Monday-Friday from 8.30am-5.30pm on the number below:

0800 319 6789

Even if you are not eligible for Pension Credit, you may wish to contact them to enquire whether you are able to access any other forms of assistance, such as housing benefit or a council tax reduction. There may also be assistance available to you even if you own your home or have a private pension.

Application guidance can also be found on the Government website, linked here.

If you would like any of the assistance referenced in this blog, please contact ellie.reeves.mp@parliament.uk providing your full name and address.