After launching a Winter Fuel SOS campaign, The Sun opened the phone lines on 9th October to readers and pensioners worried about paying their energy bills this winter.

Thousands called in with their questions which the Sun team put to an assembled panel of experts from Octopus energy, AGE UK, and Which?, as well as The Sun’s Head of Consumer Tara Evans and Sun Savers Editor Lana ­Clements.

The panel advised callers and those emailing in on whether they are eligible to keep the Winter Fuel Payment and, if not, the team ­shared tips on how to switch energy providers and save money this winter.

The panel, which was inundated with requests, are currently working through every query to try and find helpful solutions.

We have heard from readers who are confused about whether they are eligible for the benefit, which the Government is withdrawing from all bar the poorest pensioners. 

While others have said how worried they are that they won’t get the Winter Fuel Payment this winter and may not be able to afford to heat their homes. 

Our experts were able to advise callers on whether they should be claiming Pension Credit, which guarantees they will also continue to receive the fuel payment.

Pensions Minister Emma Reynolds backed the campaign, which follows the announcement in July that only households in England and Wales that receive Pension Credit or certain means-tested benefits will be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

Emma Reynolds said: “It is vital we make sure that pensioners know about all the support  they are entitled to. 

“Our drive to boost Pension Credit take-up has already seen a 152 per cent increase in claims and Sun readers can help spread the word. 

“If you have a friend, neighbour or relative who is a pensioner and on a low income, telling them about Pension Credit could boost their income by an average of £3,900. Not only does Pension Credit top up income, it also opens up further support, such as the Winter Fuel Payment.”

Victoria Newton, Editor-in-Chief of The Sun says: “The huge number of calls into the Sun’s hotline this week has highlighted just how important our SOS campaign is, and how much of an issue the loss of the Winter Fuel Payment is for so many older readers. 

The Sun has a long history of campaigning to make our readers' lives easier, and providing advice on how they can combat the increased cost of living.

Charity Age UK published an impact assessment that showed 800,000 hard-up pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit and will now also lose the Winter Fuel Payment, with many wrongly believing they aren’t entitled to it.

One caller into the hotline, 80-year-old Neil, from Balmullo, Fife said: “I am very grateful to the Sun for doing this. It may turn out I don’t qualify but it is nice to know someone cares and is on hand to help. 

“I don’t use the internet so it was really helpful to speak to someone on the phone and get help working out if I might qualify for pension credit. If you don’t try you don’t know.”

The Sun is going another step further and planning to launch an interactive checking tool with charity Turn2Us where readers can find out if they are missing out on any benefits.

Michael Clarke, Head of Information Programmes at Turn2us: 

“Over 700,000 eligible pensioners are still not claiming Pension Credit. Without timely support, they are at risk of missing out on the Winter Fuel Payment, which many rely on to stay warm and safe during winter. It’s crucial that people are supported by friends and family to check they are getting all the support available to them. In just 10 minutes, the Turn2us Benefits Calculator will tell people if they are eligible.”

The Sun is also launching a new newsletter series helping readers to save money on their heating bills this winter.