A local expert from Citizen’s Advice provides timely tips on consumer issues.
Q: ‘Every winter I get the Winter Fuel Payment – but my daughter has told me I might not get it this year. That’s a bit worrying. How can I find out?
A: Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment of up to £300 to help with heating costs. In July, the Government announced that, from this year onwards, to be eligible you must have been born on or before 22 September 1958 and receive one of the following means-tested benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance.
You also need to be living in the UK during the qualifying week in September. You’re not entitled to Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home or nursing home.
How to claim Winter Fuel Payment
If you or your partner claims one of the benefits listed above, the payment should go to the main claimant of the benefit automatically, and you should receive your payment between mid-November and Christmas. Call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 if you have any enquiries or you do not receive your payment.
What if I don’t claim a qualifying benefit?
If you are over state pension age, living on a low income and you don’t currently claim one of the listed qualifying benefits, you should check to see if you are entitled to make a claim. You can do a benefit check online at www.entitledto.co.uk or use the government’s online Pension Credit Calculator: www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator. If you are struggling to do this yourself, you can either ask a friend or family member to help you or get help from your local Citizens Advice or AgeUK.
Pension credit is aimed at people of state pension age on low incomes. It ensures that single people have an income of at least £218.15 a week, and that pensioner couples have at least £332. Those who have caring responsibilities or a disability may qualify for more. Receiving Pension Credit also unlocks a number of other benefits, including cold weather payments, free TV licences for the over 75s and, in some areas, discounts on utilities such as water bills.
You can claim Pension Credit online or by phoning 0800 99 1234.
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