Lanarkshire residents urged to check pension credit eligibility ahead of winter fuel payment cut

Christina McKelvie MSP is campaigning to raise awareness of qualifying benefits during the crucial "qualifying week" which ends on September 22

Hamilton residents eligible to claim pension credit are being urged to do so before this weekend to ensure they will be able to receive the newly means-tested winter fuel payment.

Christina McKelvie, the town’s MSP, is alerting constituents to the pension credit “qualifying week” ending on Sunday, September 22, as part of her ongoing campaign to help those impacted by the forthcoming cut to receipt of the payment of up to £300.

She is also highlighting the support available from Hamilton citizens’ advice bureau, South Lanarkshire advisory service Money Matters and from Social Security Scotland, as well as having previously teamed up with local voluntary organisations to raise awareness.

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Ms McKelvie shared figures indicating that South Lanarkshire had 60,484 winter fuel payment recipients in 2022-23, compared to 8444 people receiving pension credit – now a pre-requisite for receiving the fuel payment after last week’s controversial Westminster vote to end the universal policy.

She says that more than one-third of eligible pensioners across the UK do not claim pension credit – available to those aged over the age of 66 and topping up weekly income to £218.15, or £332.95 for those who have a partner.

The Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse representative said: “We see and hear first hand from constituents who are genuinely concerned and having to pull on their purse strings even further to be able to afford to live – my team and I have received calls from many locals concerned that they are going to be hit hard at the loss of the allowance.

“It’s important to me to be able to help them in any way we can, including by signposting to the many services and advice lines available to help with the loss of the winter fuel allowance.

“This week I am highlighting the excellent work of CAB, Money Matters and Social Security Scotland, whereby my constituents can reach out to them as a means of advice and support in such times of uncertainty.”

She is also working with Age Scotland and has sought the support of Larkhall and district volunteer group, Hillhouse tenants’ and residents’ association and Stonehouse men’s shed on her campaign to ensure all eligible residents are receiving the support they are entitled to.

Social Security Scotland highlighted Scottish Government resources about wider support for older people of the cost of living crisis portal at https://costofliving.campaign.gov.scot/

A spokesperson said: “It includes information about benefits that are available as well as other grants and funds, and there is a dedicated page for older people at https://costofliving.campaign.gov.scot/older-people, as well as a page specifically about energy and bills.”

Hamilton citizens’ advice bureau can be contacted on 01698 283477; the Money Matters number is 0303 123 1008, and Social Security Scotland can be contacted on 0800 182 2222.

Ms McKelvie says “over 800,000 pensioners across Scotland are set to lose out after the UK Labour government cut its universal provision” of winter fuel payment.

Now she has again written to Hamilton MP Imogen Walker, who is a parliamentary private secretary to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, “warning that the UK’s top economists are raising concerns about Labour’s planned cuts to public investment”.

The MSP said: “Scotland will bear the brunt of Labour’s cuts to the winter fuel allowance, with more than a quarter of a million people living in fuel poverty. SNP MPs voted against these cuts, which will see the majority of pensioners lose £500 a year in winter fuel payments and cut more than £100 million from Scotland’s budget.”

Mairi McAllan MSP is also urging eligible residents in her Clydesdale constituency to apply for pension credit during the qualifying week, saying: “The abhorrent decision by the Labour UK government to cut the winter fuel payment has put thousands of pensioners in an unimaginable situation.

“This is a cruel and inexplicable decision by the Labour government that leaves pensioners across Clydesdale out in the cold. Some who are eligible are also in danger of missing out; please check your eligibility and apply for pension credit by the end of this week to ensure you don’t miss out on vital support this winter.”

Ms Walker, the Hamilton & Clyde Valley Labour representative, said: “This was not a decision we wanted to take, but given the £22 billion black hole we inherited, we cannot evade the decisions needed to stabilise our economy.

“Targeting the winter fuel payment will ensure that those who need it most will still receive it, and the triple lock means that the new state pension rose by £900 earlier this year and is set to rise by more than £400 next year. The government is also committed to ensuring that those who are not yet claiming pension credit but are eligible are made aware and can access it.

“My constituents are living every single day with the consequences of the disastrous decisions made by both Conservative and SNP governments, and this Labour government has committed to setting that right.”

She added: “This benefit is devolved and the Scottish Government will make their own decision on the pension age winter heating payment. As the party of government for the last 17 years, the SNP must be held accountable for their financial management of Scotland. They can no longer shift the blame to others.”

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