'Too proud' elderly people 'could die' over planned winter fuel allowance changes

The authorities is readying to bounds the allowance lone to pensioners receiving pension credit, which could make a consciousness of 'humiliation' that means immoderate don't assertion their payments

Elderly radical could dice due to the fact that they are "too proud" to assertion for their wintertime substance allowance, a foundation warned connected Wednesday.

The government is readying to restrict wintertime substance payments to lone those pensioners who are receiving pension credit. Staff astatine Community Action Northumberland (Can) said galore pensioners were reluctant to sermon their income.

They judge that volition mean that galore miss retired connected payments erstwhile the changes travel into force. A authorities spokesperson said it was "supporting pensioners" by raising pensions and offering a £150 lukewarm location discount.

Christine Nicholls, the vigor pb astatine Can, said: "I americium precise disquieted that immoderate radical successful Northumberland whitethorn dice this wintertime who could person had the other help." She has met radical who were astir apt eligible for benefits but would not use arsenic they recovered it "humiliating". Sue Coulson, 67, from Amble, Northumberland, volition beryllium getting wintertime substance allowance aft Can stepped successful to assistance her.

But she warned that galore radical would not inquire for help. "A batch of radical astir present are precise independent, and they don't privation to speech astir money," she said. "I person inflammation of the spine, truthful I request warmth, truthful it was truly important for me." Many radical successful Northumberland were besides surviving successful older, little good insulated properties that were harder to heat, she added.

A authorities spokesperson said much than 1 cardinal pensioners would inactive person the Winter Fuel Payment portion much than 12 cardinal would spot their authorities pension emergence by £1,700 "this parliament".

They added: "Given the dire authorities of the nationalist finances we person inherited, it's close we people enactment to those who request it most."

The aged tin cheque eligibility for pension recognition via the government's online calculator. There is besides a telephone enactment disposable wherever assistance is fixed to capable successful forms for Pension Credit implicit the telephone connected weekdays: 0800 99 1234.