Your correspondent Mike Biden (Chronicle, August 22) supports the new government's plan to withdraw winter fuel payments from pensioners who are are not on pension credit.

There are estimated to be two million pensioners who either do not claim pension credit although eligible, or who are just above the income threshold. These pensioners will suffer real hardship this winter especially now the energy price cap is being increased.

Unfortunately many low-income pensioners do not realise they might be eligible for this credit. I think Danny Chambers could perform a valuable service by publicising pension credit in his next communication to constituents.

The Pension Credit helpline can be contacted on 0800 99 1234 (a friend or relative can phone if necessary) and they can fill in an application over the phone.

Andrew Beadle,
Milesdown Place,
St Giles Hill,
Winchester

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