More than half of pension credit claims processed in recent months were denied, government data obtained by a wealth management firm shows.
Data obtained by Quilter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) shows that between April and December, 91,000 pension credit claims were awarded while 92,000 were not.
It comes after Labour cut the winter fuel allowance for most pensioners after coming into power.
Only those who are on pension credit or other means-tested benefits will now be eligible for the winter fuel payment.
The deadline to apply was 21 December 2024.
“While this new data shows that a significant proportion of claimants are being denied pension credit, this should not stop people applying if they think they might be eligible,” Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at Quilter, said.
A government spokesperson said: “Over a million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take-up has seen applications more than double with over 40,000 more pensioners now receiving it, as well as the winter fuel payment.
“We have deployed additional staff to support processing applications, seeing a 51% increase in the number of cleared claims since the chancellor’s announcement.
“Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount and cold weather payments this winter while our extension of the household support fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills.”
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