Fair Frome, Prosper Frome, The Bridge Café and the Frome branch of Health Connections Mendip, supported by Frome Town Council, are hosting a drop-in session at Frome Town Hall on Tuesday 22nd October, between 10am and 12pm, to encourage people to check if they are eligible for unclaimed pension credit. The session is open to anyone who needs support personally, and those who are supporting a friend or relative.
The UK government announced on 29th July that the winter fuel payment will be restricted to pensioners in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits. National charity Independent Age, who have launched an information campaign on the subject, estimate that as many as 1,240 people in the former constituency of Somerton and Frome (data from 2023) may be eligible for pension credit, but not claiming it. Potential claimants need to make a successful application for pension credit by 21st December 2024 to receive a backdated winter fuel payment during Winter 2024/25.
Anne Hills of Prosper Frome said “We often see older people at our regular drop-in sessions, and we know that our colleagues at Citizen’s Advice have seen an increase in enquiries from people of retirement age too. It may turn out that you don’t qualify for pension credit, but you lose nothing by checking! Independent Age provide a range of very useful resources and a telephone helpline, so there are various ways you can access support in the way that suits you, including talking to someone in person. With the December deadline for applying fast approaching, let’s spread the word and try to ensure a fairer deal for people in Frome.”
Lenka Grimes of Fair Frome said “Sadly, there are people of all ages in our town who are struggling. If that person is of pension age, the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment is a huge blow. The threshold to qualify for pension credit is quite low, and eligibility doesn’t give a full picture of an individual’s circumstances. This means some people won’t qualify for pension credit despite being in genuine need. However, there may be other ways those people can access support, so Fair Frome are adding our voice to reach as many people as possible this autumn.”
Jenny Hartnoll, from Health Connections Mendip, the social prescribing team for all GP practices in Mendip, said “Many people don’t know what pension credit is, whether they qualify, or how to apply for it. The need to increase awareness is now urgent, in light of the government’s recent policy change on winter fuel payments. The more people who know about pension credit, the more chance we have to reach those who may be eligible. As always, our priority is connecting people and services, and we know from experience the good it can do. Come along on 22nd October, whether you’re affected personally or want to help someone else.”
Tony Perry of the Bridge said “Managing financial affairs can be a complex task, especially as we age. Personal pride can make it difficult to ask for help, and using the internet or phone to manage finances isn’t suitable for everyone. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but it is important that we can all get the help we need, in the way we need it. Join us on 22nd October, or at the regular sessions from Prosper Frome and Citizen’s Advice, or speak to us about other ways to get support; we’re here to help.”
Joanna Elson CBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age, recently said in an open letter to the Bristol Press:
‘Pension Credit can be transformative, it tops up income by on average, almost £4,000 a year. It also acts as a gateway to other benefits such as free TV licences for over 75s, free NHS prescriptions, council tax reduction, Housing Benefit, free eye tests and much more.’
The pension credit information drop-in session takes place on Tuesday 22nd October from 10am to 12pm at Frome Town Hall. Regular drop-in sessions with Citizen’s Advice Somerset run at the town hall on Mondays from 10am to 3pm and with Prosper Frome on Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm. Find out more about Independent Age’s pension credit campaign at https://www.independentage.org.
