DWP £300 winter fuel payment update as minister says application form 'to change'

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is reviewing a complex form that pensioners must complete to receive the £300 Winter Fuel Allowance, amid concerns it's too intricate and baffling. The form, which is necessary to claim DWP Pension Credit, consists of a staggering 243 questions.

On Monday (November 11), Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds admitted in the Commons that the application process was "very long" and vowed to address the backlog of Pension Credit claims "before older people start having to make the choice between heating and eating". During the question period in the Commons on Monday, Ms Reynolds assured MPs: "We are looking at the form. Ninety percent of applicants now apply online but we know that the paper form is very long and we're looking to see what we can do to simplify it."

Labour MP for Southend West and Leigh, David Burton-Sampson, queried: "What steps is (Ms Reynolds) taking to ensure claiming for pension credit is as simple as possible? " In response, Ms Reynolds emphasised to the House: "The Government remains absolutely committed to supporting pensioners. We urge pensioners to check their eligibility for pension credit to ensure as many people as possible have access to the support which they are entitled to."

Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has voiced her concern over the Department for Work and Pensions' alleged stalling on releasing further data regarding pension credit applications. She stated: "I'm concerned that the Government knows it will not be able to process these applications on time and that this information is not being put into the public domain."

She questioned if the backlog would be resolved before seniors are forced to choose between heating and