State pensioners may miss out on winter help due to DWP Pension Credit backlog

There are fears pensioners may miss out on Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) winter support over a Pension Credit backlog. Some pensioners are facing delays of three months, which could mean they do not get the benefit and winter fuel payment in time for when they need it over the coldest.

“With the changes to the winter fuel payment, we welcome the government’s efforts to increase the uptake of pension credit,” Matt Copeland, head of policy at charity National Energy Action, told Big Issue. “It’s vital that as many eligible households as possible get access to pension credit, which then unlocks access to the winter fuel payment.

“However, the government must also ensure that application process is smooth and quick. Delays like this will be costly to vulnerable households, especially as we enter the coldest part of the year, and will undermine the government’s own message to apply for pension credit.”

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One welfare rights adviser told Big Issue that delays of three months in processing pension credit applications are normal, with many cases going on much longer. In response a a government spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting pensioners – with millions set to see their state pension rise by up to £1,700 this parliament through our commitment to the triple lock.

"Anyone who makes a successful claim for pension credit and meets the winter fuel payment eligibility criteria will receive their payment, and we are deploying additional staff to process the expected increase in claims.

“Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up has already seen a 152% increase in claims. Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter while our extension of the household support fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”