Little-known Winter Fuel Payment loophole that means thousands CAN claim £300 despite not getting Pension Credit
HOUSEHOLDS should be aware of a little-known Winter Fuel Payment loophole that means thousands can claim £300 despite not getting Pension Credit.
The benefit was previously available to everyone aged 66 but cuts made by Labour now mean only those on means-tested benefits, such as Pension Credit get the help.
It spurred outrage from many charities and members of the public, with many scared it could tip vulnerable elderly people into fuel poverty.
Sir Keir Starmer has now announced plans to ease cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance.
Speaking yesterday the PM said ministers would change the threshold to allow “more pensioners” to qualify again.
However, Starmer was sparse on details about who might get the benefit reinstated or when the changes might take place.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but if you are worried about rising energy bills this coming winter you should consider using this loophole.
Those on income support, tax credits and Universal Credit, as well as Pension Credit are eligible for the £300 payment.
To qualify for the £300, you must have an active claim for one of these benefits during the qualifying week, which is from September 15 to 21.
However, claims can be backdated by between one and three months, depending on the benefit you’re applying through – so it’s not to late to claim.
You will be eligible for Pension Credit, you and your partner need to have both reached State Pension age.
However, if you have a younger partner, you may be able to make a claim to receive the Winter Fuel Payment through Universal Credit.
The benefit can top up your income by £227.10 a week if you’re single and £346.60 a week if you have a partner.
Pension Credit also opens the door to other support, including housing benefits, cost of living payments and council tax reductions.
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 weathe payments and the £150 warm home discount.
How to check your eligibility?
For those who are unsure if they can get access to the help, you can use the government’s Pension Credit Calculator.
This is available on the Gov.uk website and you have to put in your personal details to see if you qualify or not.
Before you begin the process you will need details of your earnings, benefits, pensions, savings and investments.
If you have a partner you must put in their details as well.
Applications for pension credit can also be made by ringing the pension credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.
You can get a friend or family member to ring for you, but you’ll need to be with them when they do.
You’ll need the following information about you and your partner if you have one:
- National Insurance number
- Information about any income, savings and investments you have
- Information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want to backdate your application to (usually three months ago or the date you reached state pension age)
If you claim after you reach pension age, you can backdate for up to three months.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.