THOUSANDS on Attendance Allowance and PIP could qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment through a DWP loophole.
The up to £300 payment was previously available to everyone aged 66, the current state pension age, and above.
Thousands on Attendance Allowance and PIP could qualify for Pension Credit[/caption]
But the Government has now made the payment means-tested which means you only qualify if you are on certain benefits.
This includes Income Support, Tax Credits, Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
You usually only qualify for Pension Credit if your weekly income is less than £218.15 if you are single and £332.95 if you are in a couple.
However, you can still claim Pension Credit, and therefore the Winter Fuel Payment, even if you are over the weekly income threshold.
If you receive Attendance Allowance (AA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP), the weekly income thresholds rise.
If you are someone on AA or the middle or highest rate care component of PIP, the weekly threshold goes up by £81.50.
And the DWP has confirmed to The Sun if you are claiming either of the two benefits and your state pension payment by itself is over the weekly income limits, you could also qualify for Pension Credit.
The DWP said whether you would qualify for Pension Credit in this circumstance depends on a range of other factors.
This includes whether you have a carer who receives a carer’s benefit or if someone else lives with you and their specific circumstances.
If you are on either AA or PIP and over the weekly thresholds for Pension Credit, it’s worth checking if you might qualify.
There are a number of free-to-use calculators you can use which will help decipher whether you could be eligible for Pension Credit:
What is Pension Credit and who is eligible?
Pension Credit is a Government benefit designed to top up your weekly income if you are a state pensioner with low earnings.
The current state pension age is 66.
There are two parts to the benefit – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner.
Savings Credit is extra money you get if you have some savings or your income is above the basic full state pension amount – £169.50.
Savings Credit is only available to people who reached state pension age before April 6, 2016.
The rules behind who qualifies for Pension Credit can be complicated, so the best thing to do is just check.
You can do this by calling the Pension Service helpline on 0800 99 1234 from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday or by using free online calculators.
Those in Northern Ireland have to call the Pension Centre on 0808 100 6165 from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
It might be worth a visit to your local Citizens Advice branch too – its staff should be able to offer you help for free.
Pension Credit is known as a “gateway” benefit which means it opens up a host of perks, like the winter fuel payment and a free TV licence if you are 75 or older.
It also unlocks discounts on your council tax and the Warm Home Discount, if you are on the Guarantee Credit part of the benefit.
The Sun’s Winter Fuel S.O.S Campaign
THE Sun’s Winter Fuel SOS Campaign is here to support households during these challenging times.
Due to government cutbacks, ten million pensioners are set to lose the £300 Winter Fuel Payment.
Since opening our phone lines to thousands of pensioners in October, we remain dedicated to providing tips and advice on how to stretch your finances further.
That’s why we have partnered with the poverty charity Turn2Us to launch a free benefits checker, helping you ensure that you are claiming all the benefits to which you are entitled.
Don’t miss our latest Sun Money coverage, which includes essential information on key deadlines, applying for support, and everything you need to know about Pension Credit.
If you have a story to share or wish to get in touch with our team, please email us at money-sm@news.co.uk.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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