Director of Policy, Rachel Bowen, said:
“Today’s announcement that the energy price cap for an average household will increase by 10% to £1,717 a year from October will be of major concern to older people throughout Wales and will leave many struggling to get by this winter.
“Rising energy costs will lead to more older people cutting back on essentials in an effort to save money. The UK Government needs to urgently reconsider the decision to restrict Winter Fuel Allowance payments to only those older people receiving Pension Credit to avoid driving greater numbers of older people in Wales into poverty, which will put the health and well-being of many at risk.
“In the meantime, it is more important than ever that older people claim all the financial support to which they are entitled, in particular Pension Credit, which is worth an average of £75 a week to those who claim and unlocks a range of other important entitlements that provide further support.”
To check your eligibility for Pension Credit please visit http://gov.uk/pension-credit or call 0800 99 1234
