Cross-party support to help those set to lose winter fuel allowance
Test Valley councillors have come together to support some of the most vulnerable pensioners in the borough who are set to lose their Winter Fuel Allowance following the government’s recent decision to limit payments to those receiving means tested benefits.
Finance cabinet member, Councillor Maureen Flood, and Liberal Democrat group leader, Councillor Neil Gwynne, put forward a motion at last night’s council meeting to substantially extend a local scheme that was set up in 2022 to help those pensioners struggling to cover their fuel costs.
Age UK estimates that around 2 million pensioners who badly need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it as result of the government changes. Previously, everyone over the age of 66 would receive a payment from the government.
Councillors showed unanimous support for the proposal to allocate £20,000 to the Test Valley Winter Fuel Payment Scheme, and a further £20,000 if required, to continue support for those of pensionable age in the borough who need assistance with paying their bills. In doing so, they estimate that this will help over 400 of the most vulnerable pensioner households in Test Valley.
They also agreed to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and to ask the government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who are just above the threshold for Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty.
The leader of the council will sign the ‘Save the Winter Fuel Payment for Struggling Pensioners’ petition on behalf of TVBC, which is being run by Age UK. All other councillors were also called upon to sign the petition individually.
To access the funding, anyone who needs help is being urged to contact Citizens Advice (CA) as soon as possible on 0808 178 6882, or go to their website at www.testvalleycab.org.uk. The CA will then make an assessment to determine whether the person qualifies for financial assistance and offer wider support and advice. They will also check whether the person is eligible for Pension Credit, as it is believed that there could be hundreds of households in Test Valley that could claim, but do not.
Those the CA identifies for financial help will then be referred to Unity, a Test Valley-based charity that will hold the funding pot and make the payments direct to residents.
Councillor Maureen Flood said: “This is a difficult time for pensioners and this decision has been made with very little notice. We’ve had the Test Valley Winter Fuel Payment Scheme in place since 2022, which enabled those who received a Winter Fuel Payment, but didn’t necessarily require it, to donate it locally to support those most in need. As they will no longer receive the payment and would therefore be unable to pass it on, we wanted to make sure that funding was still available to those who were struggling.”
Councillor Neil Gwynne added: “We would urge anyone who is struggling with their fuel payments to please get in touch with Citizens Advice as soon as possible. You are not alone, so please do not struggle in silence. There is support available to those who need it.”
Following a suggestion from Councillor Sally Yalden, it was further agreed in the meeting that the council would explore whether it might be possible to identify all those eligible for Pension Credit who are not currently in receipt of the benefit and send out targeted communication to encourage them to sign up.