EXMINSTER county councillor Alan Connett is urging all eligible pensioners to apply for help with bills following the decision to cut the annual winter fuel payment. 

Lib Dem Cllr Connett says six in 10 people who are entitled to pension credits actually take it. 

He says up to 250,000 pensioners in Devon will lose out on the winter fuel payments, of up to £300 per household, which have been scrapped by new Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves.  

In Devon, that means just 28,004 pensioners will now be entitled to the payments to help with winter fuel bills - a drop from the 277,983 residents who benefited under the previous scheme.

Payments ranged from £100 to £300 and were paid to everyone over the state pension age. 

From this year, to be eligible, residents must have been born on or before September 22 1958 and receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

Cllr Connett explained: ‘A big problem is only about six in 10 people eligible for Pension Credits actually taken them up. 

‘That’s why we’re asking Devon County Council to work with other councils and actively promote the Pension Credits. Let’s get everyone who is entitled to this support claiming it and they should then be able to get to the Winter Fuel Payment.

‘With the next winter fuel price cap rises expected to be announced on August 27 and November 25, it will be an especially worrying time for people who had perhaps been counting on the now axed winter fuel payment to help them out again this year.

‘We are worried more older people in Devon will be faced with the horrid and stark choice of heating or eating once more this winter.

‘There will be many people likely to be just above the threshold for Pension Credit who will also undoubtedly struggle this winter. 

‘I am hopeful all councils in Devon will do what they can to help people claim Pension Credit and lobby the Government to raise the threshold.’ 

DCC is expected to consider the Liberal Democrats motion at its next meeting on September 5.