THOUSANDS of eligible pensioners could miss out on the £300 Winter Fuel Payment because of a loophole.
In the past the Winter Fuel Payment, worth up to £300, was available to everyone aged 66 and above.
However, recent changes by Chancellor Rachel Reeves mean that around 10million pensioners will no longer receive the benefit.
Now, the payment is limited to retirees on Pension Credit or those receiving certain other means-tested benefits.
This includes state pensioners claiming income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment support allowance, tax credits, or Universal Credit.
To qualify for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment, you must have an active claim for any of these benefits during the “qualifying week”, which runs from September 16 to 22 (this week).
Over 800,000 households are thought to be missing out on Pension Credit, which unlocks their eligibility for this year’s winter fuel payment.
You might assume that if you don’t apply for it before the end of the week, you won’t qualify for this year’s payment.
But new claims for pension credit can be backdated by up to three months.
This means that the absolute deadline to claim the benefit and qualify for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment is December 21.
Of course, if you fail to apply for the benefit before this date, you won’t qualify for this year’s £300.
However, a little-known loophole means that thousands of entitled pensioner households may miss out.
It’s important to remember that you will have to request that your claim is backdated for three months when you apply.
If you don’t tick the box asking to have it backdate, then it won’t happen automatically.
This means that thousands of pensioners could miss out if they overlook this important box.
Caroline Abrahams CBE, charity director at Age UK said: “The good news is that if you apply for Pension Credit before December 21m you can still qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment this year.
“However, it’s important to understand that for this to happen, you have to request that your claim is backdated for three months, and you have to have been eligible for it then, as well as now- so look out for it as you fill in the form.
“Any delays in processing Pension Credit claims will not change the date of the claim, so if you apply before December 21, qualify and request your claim to be backdated, you will still get a Winter Fuel Payment this winter.”
The Sun’s Winter Fuel S.O.S Campaign
WORRIED about energy bills? The Sun’s Winter Fuel SOS crew are taking calls on Wednesday.
We want to help thousands of pensioners worried about energy bills this winter, with tips and advice on how to make cash go further.
Our Winter Fuel SOS crew will be able to help answer your questions on whether you can get Pension Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment.
Ten million OAPs are set to lose the £300 Winter Fuel Payment due to government cutbacks.
It comes in the same month that millions of households are hit by a ten per cent rise in bills as the Energy Price Cap shoots up.
We can help with advice on how else to save money.
Our phone line is open 7am to 7pm Wednesday October 9 – you can call us on 0800 028 1978.
Or you can email now: WinterfuelSOS@the-sun.co.uk
CHECK IF YOU QUALIFY
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.
How much is the winter fuel payment and how is it paid?
Payments last year were worth between £300 and £600, depending on your specific circumstances.
This is because the amount included a “Pensioner Cost of Living Payment” – between £150 and £300.
This year, it will be worth £200 for eligible households or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.
That means you could receive up to £300 in free cash depending on your circumstances.
Most payments are made automatically in November or December.
You’ll get a letter telling you:
- How much you’ll get
- Which bank account it will be paid into
If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by January 29, 2025, you must contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
