Many pensioners are struggling after losing their winter fuel payments, leaving them with little money to get through the cold months ahead
Sedbergh: It’s been tough for many pensioners lately. They lost their winter fuel payment, and now they’re feeling the pinch. Sandra, for instance, relied on that payment to help with her bills.
When the government changed the rules, she found herself just over the limit. Now, she’s got to use a credit card and an overdraft just to get by. It’s a real struggle.
She shared her situation with the BBC, saying, “I’ve had to take out a credit card, overdraft, and a credit account to pay for things this winter.” That’s a lot of stress for anyone.
Age UK reported that over 11 million pensioners lost these payments, which used to be between £200 and £300. And just as the cold weather hit, they found themselves without that extra help.
Sandra mentioned she only has £4 left in her bank account. She’s paying off her credit card slowly, but it’s tough. “Psychologically, it makes you feel a bit of a failure,” she said.
With winter still here, she’s worried about what will happen if the weather gets colder. The winter fuel payment used to be a lifeline, especially in November and December.
Last year, the chancellor decided to limit these payments to those on pension credit. Age UK has seen a huge rise in calls from worried pensioners trying to figure out their options.
In Sedbergh, some pensioners like Rosemary and Marjorie also missed out on these payments. They expressed how much it meant to them. “It’s a lot of money to lose,” Rosemary said. “It makes a big difference.”
