DWP ‘very sorry’ as it phones pensioner to award her winter fuel payment
After speaking out on TV about losing her winter fuel payment, a pensioner with lung disease was reportedly contacted by the Department for Work and Pensions. The Government has decided to means-test the payment this season, restricting it to pensioners on benefits like Pension Credit, rather than offering it universally.
This change leaves many without the £200 or £300 previously available to all. Elaine Yates, 75, shared her plight on ITV's Good Morning Britain with hosts Ed Balls and Susanna Reid.
Following her appearance, she was informed by the government that she did qualify for Pension Credit and would receive back-payment of the winter fuel payment. Elaine, a former carer, expressed her fear of using her oven or heating due to her condition, which is exacerbated by the cold.
Speaking on Monday's programme, she said: "I don't use my oven unless it's really [needed]. I think I had five cooked meals in that oven last year – I would rather have the heating on because of my lung disease. If there is mould in the house, obviously my asthma will be worse and I have to consider my health. It's cruel… I've heard nothing. Absolutely nothing from that date so I don't know whether I am entitled to it or not."
Returning to the show on Tuesday, Elaine revealed that she received a call from the DWP just 30 minutes after her appearance on Good Morning Britain: "About half an hour after, I got a phone call from a lovely man from the DWP and he said that his manager had told him to get in touch with me, they had checked all my paperwork, and I was entitled to Pension Credit… He said 'we're very sorry this has happened'."
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When Susanna asked if the manager had been watching the show, Elaine confirmed: "I believe they both were! " She continued to highlight the plight of thousands who are struggling, saying: "There are thousands out there that are really, really, struggling and it's so unfair that they are not processing these applications."
Susanna agreed, adding: "You're absolutely right. If it was within our gift, we would interview every single pensioner who is in your situation in order that they get a personal phone call. But, in the meantime, (government minister) Pat McFadden promised (on yesterday's programme of Good Morning Britain) that they recruited hundreds of extra staff in order to process the claims and the applications."
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Elaine expressed utmost thanks GMB for the difference it would make in her life: "The most important thing is that I can go and get my eyes tested. I haven't had my eyes tested for over a year because I knew I couldn't afford the glasses and now I can go and get them tested, which is a huge thing… The fact that I've got this allowance now is just going to make so much difference."
Elaine went on to say, with heartfelt appreciation: "I can put the heating on and I can have it on longer… I'm so grateful to everybody… I'm speaking for all the thousands out there."
The Department of Work and Pensions said in a statement: "We understand that some may need additional help this winter, which is why we have put in place a range of support, including a warm home discount, and we have extended the household support fund. We continue to work at pace to process Pension Credit claims with a 51% increase in the number of cleared Pension Credit claims since July."
