UK Pension Credit Claims Surge Amid Fuel Payment Changes

Pension credit claims in the UK have surged by nearly 150% following the government's announcement to means-test winter fuel payments, with only 42,500 of 150,000 applications approved. This policy change, aimed at addressing a £22 billion deficit, has drawn criticism for leaving many pensioners without necessary financial support. Age UK and other organizations have expressed concern over the high rejection rates, indicating the government's struggle to manage the influx of applications. Additionally, terminally ill pensioners face losing their winter fuel payments, prompting Marie Curie to call for guaranteed support for this vulnerable group. Efforts to mitigate the impact include deploying additional staff to process applications and encouraging eligible pensioners to apply. The policy has sparked calls for legal challenges and additional support measures, especially as the UK faces a cold winter.