By KMTV’s Mahima Abedin

An elderly pensioner is dreading spending the winter in her draughty home as she is set to lose hundreds of pounds in government support.

Sheila Waghorn, 89, from Gillingham, says she will now find it more difficult to pay for heating and will need to wrap up for the sake of her health when the colder months hit.

It comes as the government is stopping winter fuel payments for OAPs who are not on pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

Charities fear tens of thousands of older people in Kent will now have to choose between eating or heating - with one worker saying: “It’s a matter of life and death.”

Up until now, all pensioners, regardless of income received up to £300 a year in winter fuel payments, including Sheila.

She says she now does not know where to turn for help.

“I’ll be getting cold and wrap up more because being 89 and living in a drafty house it’ll affect me quite a bit,” she said.

“I don’t think you should have those worries at my age. It shouldn’t just be for people with extra money or pension credit, there are those without that need it just as much.”

Charities like Imago, which provide support, say the changes will lead to the most vulnerable having to make difficult decisions.

Sue Holt, from Imago, said: “They’ve worked hard all their lives and for them to be struggling with this situation in the winter I think is terrible.

“People struggle as is and they rely on that fuel payment.

“It’s always the case of eating or heating for them, and we’ll have a lot of people who will be hungry or cold this winter.”

A spokesperson at the Department for Work and Pensions said: “We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement.

“But given the dire state of the public finances we have inherited, it’s right that we target support to those who need it most while we take the difficult decisions needed to fix the foundations of our economy.”

Like Imago, Gillingham Street Angels also offers free support to the local community and has said they are already getting calls from people asking for help.

Neil Charlick of the Angels said: “It’s a matter of life and death, there are people out there who can’t afford to live.

“They’re already panicking. Maybe means test the idea as there may be people out there who can afford it but to cut the whole from everybody it’s a bad idea.”

Neil has blankets at the ready to hand out to those who need them but he is already feeling the pressure and worries it is only going to get worse.

“The voluntary section will do everything it can to help, and we’ve already started collecting warm blankets and clothing but there are a lot of people who don’t engage with these services,” he added.

Though the changes won’t be enforced until September 16, Kent charities are urging those concerned to reach out for help.