780,000 state pensioners to lose up to £300 from bank accounts

Almost 800,000 pensioners are expected to miss out on Winter Fuel Payments despite being eligible for them. Older people must claim certain benefits in order to be eligible for the support payments worth up to £300.

One of these major qualifying benefits is Pension Credit but hundreds of thousands don't claim it even though they could. That means many will also miss out on the Winter Fuel Payment, just as energy bills are increasing from next month.

Despite a major awareness drive by the Government, it expects around 780,000 eligible people to miss out because they haven't come forward to claim benefits, the BBC reports. It comes amid widespread fury over Labour's decision to remove Winter Fuel Payments from millions of pensioners this year.

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There is still a chance for eligible pensioners to come forward and claim Pension Credit. They have until December 21 to be claiming Pension Credit and get the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

Loved ones are also being encouraged to help their elderly family members and friends check if they could get the support. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: "The £22 billion black hole in the public finances we have inherited has required us to take difficult decisions, but I am determined to ensure low-income pensioners are supported.

"That’s why I urge any pensioner, or their loved ones, to check if they could get Pension Credit. This Government remains completely committed to pensioners which is why we’re protecting the income of over 12 million pensioners through the triple lock."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "The dire state of the public finances we inherited from the previous Government means we’ve had to make some very difficult decisions. Our commitment to supporting pensioners remains, which is why we are maintaining the triple lock.

"We want pensioners to get the support they are entitled to. That’s why I urge all pensioners to check whether they are eligible for Pension Credit."