'If I had not worked so hard, I would be better off now'

Pensioner to lose fuel payment for being 3 over threshold

- HOLLY BANCROFT

A pensioner is set to miss out on winter fuel help this year because she is just £3.32 above the weekly threshold for support. Lynne Perry, 69, who lives in Cornwall, says she gets just enough income from her state pension to push her above the £218.15 limit for pension credit, the government’s payment to older people who need extra help with their living costs.

Those on pension credit qualify for the annual winter fuel payment, which is means-tested this year. Chancellor Rachel Reeves decided to cut the winter allowance for the majority of recipients after inheriting what she described as a £22bn black hole in the public finances. An estimated 10.7 million pensioners will lose their fuel payment, which is worth up to £300, this winter.

Ms Perry, who is a retired teacher, said she receives £885.88 every four weeks from her state pension. This pushes her £3.32 over the weekly income threshold that determines whether a person can receive pension credit, and by extension the winter fuel payment.

Ms Perry told The Independent: “I’m one of the Waspi women who couldn’t retire at 60. What I find really unjust is, had I worked less and contributed very little, I would be better off now. I’m not entitled to pension credit because I’ve contributed for all those years of working.