MORE than a million benefits claimants with disabilities are set to lose out on the Winter Fuel Payment this year.
The cash, worth up to £300, is being dished out to people on certain means-tested benefits.
Cuts made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean that only households claiming pension credit and a handful of other benefits are now eligible.
And now a fresh report has been published by the Social Security Advisory Committee looking at the impact of the Chancellor’s decision to change the eligibility criteria.
The move will reduce the number of people who receive a Winter Fuel Payment in England and Wales from 10.8million to just 1.5million.
The most recent available data from May 2023 shows that 2.6million State Pension recipients claim Attendance Allowance (AA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
According to the report, at the same time more than half of Pension Credit claimants were also in receipt those three benefits.
While the committee found that people with a disability will be disproportionately likely to get the Winter Fuel Payment this year, the Department estimates that around 1.6million people with a disability will lose entitlement to the cash.
The report reads: “We consider it essential that the Department urgently reviews its current Pension Credit take-up campaign to ensure those receiving Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment are sufficiently engaged and aware of the options available to them.”
It’s important to note that claiming Pension Credit will not affect your cash from other benefits like PIP, DLA and Attendance Allowance.
James Taylor, Scope’s executive director of strategy and social change, said the charity is concerned by the government’s decision on the winter fuel payment, which it says “will make life harder for older disabled people”.
He said: “While some disabled pensioners receive pension credit, there are an alarming number who will miss out this winter.
“We’d urge anyone who thinks they could be eligible to apply, or to get in touch with our helpline for advice.
“We desperately need a longer-term solution for the eye-watering energy costs many disabled people face, which is why we’re calling for the government to bring in discounted bills for disabled households.”
What can you get?
Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner – this is known as “guarantee credit”.
If your income is lower than this, you’re very likely to be eligible for the benefit.
However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
You could get an extra £81.50 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:
- Attendance allowance
- The middle or highest rate from the care component of disability living allowance (DLA)
- The daily living component of personal independence payment (PIP)
- Armed forces independence payment
- The daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.
You could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if both of the following apply:
- You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016
- You saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension
This part of pension credit is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.
Pension credit opens the door to other support, including housing benefits, cost of living payments, council tax reductions and the winter fuel payment.
Claims for pension credit also open doors to a number of freebies and discounts.
For example, pension credit claimants over 75 qualify for a free TV licence worth up to £169.50 a year.
Claims for the benefit also provide eligibility to £25 a week cold weather payments and the £150 warm home discount.
We have a guide on all the state pension freebies and discounts you can get.
If you’re not sure if you will be able to get Pension Credit, you can use our handy tool to check what benefits you’re eligible for.
Crucial to claim Pension Credit if you can
HUNDREDS of thousands of pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit.
The Sun’s Assistant Consumer Editor Lana Clements explains why it’s imperative to apply for the benefit..
Pension Credit is designed to top up the income of the UK’s poorest pensioners.
In itself the payment is a vital lifeline for older people with little income.
It will take weekly income up to to £218.15 if you’re single or joint income to £332.95.
Yet, an estimated 800,000 don’t claim this support. Not only are they missing on this cash, but far more extra support that is unlocked when claiming Pension Credit.
With the winter fuel payment – worth up to £300 now being restricted to pensioners claiming Pension Credit – it’s more important than ever to claim the benefit if you can.
Pension Credit also opens up help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills and even a free TV licence if you are 75 or older.
All this extra support can make a huge difference to the quality of life for a struggling pensioner.
It’s not difficult to apply for Pension Credit, you can do it up to four months before you reach state pension age through the government website or by calling 0800 99 1234.
You’ll just need your National Insurance number, as well as information about income, savings and investments.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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