It has been previously reported that up to 40% of eligible pensioners do not apply for Pension Credit.

However, new UK government figures show a spike in claims since the chancellor revealed her plans to means test the winter fuel payment.

Reeves announced the move on 29 July. In the 16 weeks since then, about 150,000 Pension Credit applications have been made across the UK – up by almost 150% compared with the 16 weeks before the chancellor’s statement.

Yet the number of approvals has risen by just 17% over the same period, while refusals almost doubled from 27,100 to 53,100.

That means 81,000 more pensioners have received the extra cash since the summer, out of a possible 880,000 people who the government believes are eligible for the money.

The UK government is urging pensioners to check if they are eligible for the benefit.

Those who apply before 21 December will receive backdated payments of both Pension Credit and the winter fuel allowance.

The Department for Work and Pensions has deployed 500 extra staff to handle claims for the benefit.