DWP 'very sorry' as it phones pensioner to award her winter fuel payment
DWP 'very sorry' as it phones pensioner to award her winter fuel payment
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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'.".
