Social Enterprise Kent is holding free Pension Credit drop in sessions next month in a bid to make sure those eligible make a claim.
The drive to highlight pension credit comes on the heels of the government decision to means-test the winter fuel payment.
Now, to be eligible a person, born before 23 September 1958, needs to receive either Pension Credit, Universal Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit.
Prior to the vote on the controversial policy the payment to help with fuel bills was available to anyone over the age of 66 regardless of income levels, meaning wealthy households were also entitled to the sum. The payment is £200, rising to £300 for those over 80.
The cut will save the government about £1.5bn a year as it attempts to fill a claimed “black hole” in finances of £22bn.
The number of winter payment recipients will drop from 10.8 million to 1.5 million.
Thanet, with approximately 33,686 over 65s, has one of the highest proportions of elderly people in Kent.
The pension credit sessions to be held in Margate are to support people to make a claim.
They will be held at SEK’s premises at 63-65 High Street, Margate, on:
- Monday, 4th November | 9:30am – 12:30pm
- Tuesday, 14th November | 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Tuesday, 21st November | 1:00pm – 400pm
What to bring:
3 months of bank statements
Details of your savings
Your National Insurance number
Further sessions will be arranged to take place in Ramsgate.
