Eligible residents are being urged to apply for pension credits to benefit from winter fuel payments.

Horsham District Council is encouraging residents of state pension age to check whether they could claim pension credit, which is worth over £3,500 a year on average.

This comes after thousands of pensioners in England and Wales are set to lose their winter fuel payments under new government plans.

The payments, currently worth between £100 and £300, help people of state pension age fund their heating bills over the colder months.

Read more: DWP Winter Fuel Payments: Pensioners face energy bill rise

From autumn onwards, only those who claim pension credits or other means-tested benefits will get the payments.

People can check if they are eligible at https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit or by calling 0800 731 0469.

Read more: DWP Winter Fuel Payments update as petition hits milestone

Councillor Sam Raby, Horsham District Council cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, said: “Making sure that people are accessing the support that's available to them is a top priority for us, and we know that there are many people in our district who could be claiming pension credit but don't realise it or are yet to apply for this support.

"If you are talking to friends and family of people over state pension age, please encourage them to think about pension credit and the other benefits that come with claiming it.

"This can help open up important conversations that could make a real difference to people's lives.”