Pension Credit: Ministers must urgently extend deadline before it's too late

EMBARGO: 00:01 21st December

Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions Spokesperson, Steve Darling MP, said:

“Today is the last chance for people to apply for Pension Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment, yet tens of thousands of eligible pensioners are expected to miss out.

"Ministers must urgently extend the deadline or risk leaving some of the most vulnerable retirees out in the cold. And applications must be processed much quicker, as thousands are set to receive their support much too late.

"The Government’s decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment has already left many of the poorest pensioners having to choose between heating and eating this winter. Ministers must urgently extend the deadline and abandon this shameful cut altogether, before it’s too late.”

ENDS