Campaigners hit out at “chaos” over the scrapping of winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners after the Government launched a Pension Credit awareness drive.

Older people are being urged to check if they are eligible for the benefit which qualifies them for the previously universal winter fuel payment worth up to £300.

But the “qualifying period” for the winter fuel payment

A recorded message on the Pension Credit helpline says applications could take six weeks to process.

The group’s coordinator Simon Francis said: “It’s chaos, but it’s clear ministers have not thought this through.

“When the Chancellor cruelly snatched away the winter fuel payment from millions of pensioners, she promised to help households who are eligible to claim the benefit.

“But to be eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment, you must have been receiving Pension Credit payments during the qualifying week.

“As it takes so long to process new claims, even those applying now may miss out this winter or be forced into a back-dating procedure which will delay payments.

“While we back ministers’ drive for longer-term reduction in energy bills through renewables and a Warm Homes Plan, households need help this winter.

“The Government must broaden the targeting of the winter fuel payment, to introduce support to end energy debt, expand the Warm Home Discount and extend the Household Support Fund.

“At the very least, the Chancellor will need to reassess the winter fuel payment qualifying week to ensure more people can sign up to get Pensions Credit and receive the winter fuel payment when they need it.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves blamed the state of the economy when she unveiled plans last month to introduce means testing for the winter fuel payment, which was previously open to everyone above state pension age.

Jonathan Bean from Fuel Poverty Action said: “The winter fuel payment axe has been wielded at short notice and with no consultation. And now the whole process is mired in confusion.

“Left caught up in the chaos are older people who will be left fearful of the winter ahead. Many will be unsure if they will get the winter fuel payment or not and delays to payments will only add to the misery.

“If ministers think that a communications campaign to encourage take-up of Pensions Credit is any substitute for actual help with energy bills this winter, then they are very much mistaken.

“The Government needs to face up to the fact that this policy is unpopular and dangerous and change track.”

Around 1.4 million pensioners are already receiving pension credit but the Department for Work and Pensions estimates up to 880,000 further households are eligible for the support.

The Express is campaigning for Labour to U-turn on its decision to axe winter fuel payments for around 10 million pensioners.

Jan Shortt, General Secretary of the National Pensioners’ Convention, added: “The Government has effectively sidelined pensioners with the decision to axe universal winter fuel payments.

“We’re an easier target than any other group in society because they know we don’t work and cannot protest by withdrawing our labour. But choosing us as an easy option is set to condemn hundreds of thousands of older, and vulnerable people to a grim and potentially life-threatening winter ahead.”

“We said we would be honest with the public and, given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, this Government must take difficult decisions to fix the foundations of the economy.

“This includes reforming Winter Fuel Payments so they are targeted at those most in need and leaving no stone unturned to encourage eligible pensioners take up pension credit.”