THOUSANDS of households on certain benefits will no longer qualify for this year’s £300 winter fuel payment.
The winter cash was previously available to everyone over the state pension age (66).
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 six other means-tested benefits.
Unfortunately, those claiming housing benefit without pension credit will not be due this year’s winter fuel payment.
Housing benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits.
Only those over the state pension age can put in a new claim.
Households that only claim council tax reduction will also not qualify for a winter fuel payment.
Also known as council tax support, the benefit is designed to help individuals on low incomes or certain benefits reduce the amount of council tax they need to pay.
State pensioners who claim child benefit to supplement their income while fostering or raising a child under 20 will also not qualify for a winter fuel payment.
Child benefit provides regular payments to parents or guardians to assist with the costs associated with raising children.
It is designed to help cover expenses such as food, clothing, and other essential needs.
However, it’s important to note that these households may be eligible for this year’s winter fuel payment if they also claim a qualifying benefit.
QUALIFYING BENEFITS
Only individuals claiming the following benefits will be eligible for a winter fuel payment this year:
- Pension credit
- Universal Credit
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- Income-related employment support allowance (ESA)
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credit
To be eligible for this year’s payment, you must have an active claim for the benefits mentioned above during the “qualifying week,” which runs from 16 to 22 September (this week).
Most households automatically receive the winter fuel payment, including those on pension credit.
Over 800,000 households are thought to be missing out on pension credit, which unlocks their eligibility for this year’s winter fuel payment.
If you don’t apply for this year’s payment by the end of the week, you might assume that you won’t qualify.
However, thanks to a little-known loophole, this is not the case.
This is because 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.
What is pension credit and how do I apply?
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 may get extra amounts if you have other responsibilities and costs.
Pension credit opens the door to other support, including housing benefits, cost of living payments, council tax reductions, the winter fuel payment and the Warm Home Discount.
You can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.
Find out more by visiting gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.
Even if you are found to be claiming an eligible benefit during the qualifying week, some households may still be ineligible for the winter fuel payment.
You will not be eligible if you:
- Live in Scotland
- Have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
- Were in prison for the whole of the week of September 16-22, 2024
- Were living in a care home for the whole time from June 24 to September 22, 2024
However, you can get a winter fuel payment if you have lived in a care home for less than 13 weeks, including the week of September 16-22, 2024.
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.
