An estimated 600 pensioners in East Cambridgeshire could be missing out on Pension Credit.

Pensioners on a low income are being advised to apply for Pension Credit now to be in with a chance of qualifying for this year's Winter Fuel Payment.

East Cambridgeshire District Council has launched a promotional campaign encouraging as many people as possible to apply for Pension Credit before 21 December. Applications received after that date will not automatically receive the £300 Winter Fuel Payment.

Pension Credit is available to people of a pensionable age on an income below the £218 a week threshold (£333 for couples). Those above the threshold may still qualify if they are carers, have a disability, or have savings under £10,000.

Anyone who needs help with applying for Pension Credit can contact the community advice team at East Cambridgeshire District Council, or attend one of the council's drop-in sessions. These take place at The Grange in Ely Monday to Friday, from 10am until 4pm. Drop-in sessions are also held at Soham Library each Wednesday, 10am until midday, and in Littleport Library from 10am until midday on a Friday.

At the last Full Council meeting (17 October) the council unanimously passed a motion to request changes to the government’s decision to means test the Winter Fuel Payment, which in previous years had been paid to all pensioners.

The council will be carrying out a number of actions including:

• writing to people who are registered for its assisted bin collections to see if they are eligible to apply for Pension Credit before 21 December
• sending a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, urging a review of the decision to means-test the Winter Fuel Payment and asking the government to take urgent steps to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty
• contacting parish councils, community groups and charities operating in East Cambridgeshire to ask for their help to ensure all eligible pensioners are supported in claiming their entitlement
• encouraging as many people as possible, including all district councillors, to sign up to Age UK’s petition to Save the Winter Fuel Payment

Cllr Anna Bailey, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council who proposed the motion, said: “The decision to means-test Winter Fuel Payments, especially with such short notice and without adequate compensatory measures, is deeply unfair and will disproportionately affect the health and wellbeing of our poorest older residents.

“We know that many thousands across East Cambridgeshire sit just above the cut-off for Pension Credit and will now lose their Winter Fuel Payment.

“We want the government to address this issue and in the meantime are doing all we can to advise residents of the deadline and encourage anyone who thinks they are eligible to  act now.

“We want our most vulnerable residents to be able to afford heating during the coldest months, thereby preventing 'heat or eat' dilemmas and safeguarding health.”