I visited Fusion Maidstone community hub in Park Wood to chat to pensioners there for Friday’s weekly free lunch. Older people in Faversham and Mid Kent will have to make really difficult choices this Christmas because of Labour’s cut to the Winter Fuel Payment, like whether they can afford to eat or heat. People I spoke to at Fusion feel they’re not being listened to and some feel this is a deliberate attack on them as pensioners. I’ve had similar conversations with pensioners in the last few weeks all round the constituency.
Pensioners have until Saturday to apply for Pension Credit and - if eligible - to then receive this year’s winter fuel allowance. I would encourage anyone who thinks they might be eligible to get their application in. I’m really concerned for the 750,000 people who are expected to miss this deadline and lose out on the help with heating bills.
For lower-income pensioners who are not eligible for pension credit, Kent County Council has launched the ‘Pensioner Just Missing Out’ scheme. Under the scheme you can apply for £200 worth of support with food, energy or both. I am urging constituents who are pension-aged to check if they qualify for Kent County Council’s support here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/cost-of-living-support/find-help-and-support-with-money-worries/pensioner-just-missing-out-scheme
And a special thanks to Sue Maidens and the staff at Fusion for hosting my visit and most importantly for the wonderful job they do supporting the community in and around Park Wood.
Here's a news story about my visit: https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1988967/tories-winter-fuel-pension-credit-helen-whately
(Image: Humphrey Nemar)
